Columbia  ^SnttJerjs^ftp 


THE  LIBRARIES 


LIFE 


OF  THE  LATE 


Gen  WILLIAM  EATON; 


SEVERAL  VEARS  AN     OFFICER    lU    THE   UNITED    STATES     ARMY, 
CONSUL    AT  THE  REGENCY  OF    TUNIS  ON    THE    COAST     OF 
iflARBARY,.    AND     COMMANDER     OF      THE     CHRISTIAN 
AND   OTHER  FORCES  THAT  MARCHED    ^ ^ ^^ '^  ^ ?J^^ '^ 
THR6t;GH    THE    DESERT     OK    BARCA,    IN   18Q5, 
AND     COMQUEPElD     THE     CITY    OF    DERNE, 
WHICH   I.to  TO  THE  TirtATY  OF  PEACE 
I  BETWEEH-ThB  w*«iT«D    STA-rsSAND 

i(  THE     REGENCY     OF     TRIPOLI. 


rRINCIPALLY    COLLECTED    FROM  HIS    CORRESPOND^ 
ENCE  AND  OTHER  MANUSCRIPTS. 


^ 


BROOKFIELD  : 
PRINTED    BY    E.   MERRIAM    Sc   CO. 
"1815." 


DISTRICT  CLERK'S  OFFICE. 


District  of  Massachusetts,  to  vvit: 

BE  it  remembered,  That  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  April,  A.  D.  18^5, 
and  in  the  thirty-seventh  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  Uniied 
States  of  America,  Ebenezer  Merriamofthe  saiddistrict,  has  depos- 
ited in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  is 
proprietor,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"The  LIFE  OF  the  LATE  Gen.  WILLIAM  EATON  ;  sever- 
al YEARS  AN  OFFICER  IN  TH  E  UNITED  ST  ATES'  ARM  V,  CONSUL 
AT  THE  REGENCY  OF  TUNIS  ON  THE  COAST  OF  BARBARY,  AfD 
COMMANDER  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  AND  OTHER  FORCES  THAT 
MARCHED  FROM  EGYPT  THROUGH  THE  DESERT  OF  BARCA,  N 
1805,  AND  CONQJJERED  THE  CITY  OF  DERNE,  WHICH  LED  TO 
THE  TREATY  OF  PEACE  BETWEEN  THE  UNITED  STATES  AKD 
THE  REGENCY  OF  TRIPOLI:  PRINCIPALLY  COLLECTED  TR  M 
HIS    CORRESPONDENCE    AND    OTHER    MANUSCRIPTS." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  intitled, 
*'  An  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securinj^  thci  -  •■ 
of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  Authoisand  Pioprietors  o\ 
copies,  during  the  times  therein  nKntir""*^  ,  •  and  also,  to  an  ;n.t,  iutitlii  d 
**  An  act  supplemental  y  to  an  act,  intitled,  an  act  for  the  encouragemeji. 
of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  tic 
authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies  during  the  times  therein  men 
tioned  ;  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  Arts  of  Designing, 
E'ngraving,  and  Etching  Historical,  and  other  Prints." 


WILLIAM  S.  SHAW, 
Clerk  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts 


\ 


THE  COMPILER'S  PREFACE. 


Gen.  Eaton  expired,  June  1st,  1811.     Shortly  after  his 
decease,  several  gentlemen,  who  having  a  just,  entertained  a  high  o- 
pinion  of  his  talents  and  services,  expressed  a  wish  to  see  a  history  of 
his  life  and  atchievments,  believing  that  in  his  numerous  manuscripts 
there  were  ample  materials,  by  judicious  selection,  for  abiography  of  his 
life  and  a  relation  of  its  principal  events,  that  were  worthy  preserva- 
tion :  hoping  at  the  same  time  that  a  volume  might  be  published  of 
sufficient  interest  to  defray  the  expense  of  publication,  and  pei:haps 
yield  a  profit  that  might  do  much  towards  educating  his  orphan  chil- 
dren.    Major  Amos  Paine  of  Woodstock,   (Con.)  the  husband  of  a 
sister  of  Gen.  Eaton,  from  regard  to  the  family,  and  solely  with 
a  hope  of  rendering  it  a  service,  offered  to  risque  the  expense  of  pub- 
lication.    Having  been  intimately  acquainted  with  Eaton,  and  witli 
much  of  his  public  life,  trusting,  perhaps  too  much,  to  my   judgment 
and  fitness  foe  the  undertaking,  Mr.  Paine  requested  me  to  make  the 
desired  selections,  and  superintend  the  work.      Being  under  obliga- 
tions to  spend  thd  ensuing  winter  in  the  City  of  Washington^  and  there 
not  being  sufficient  time  for  the  execution  of  the  work  before  the  win- 
ter, it  was  agreed  to  defer  it  till  the  next  spring.     A  disappointment  in 
procuring  paper  oelayed  the  commencement  of  the  printing  till  late  in 
th*"    autumn  of  the  last  year.     If   however    the  volume   contains 

isement,  instruction  or  interest,  this  delay  can  have  no  essential  ef- 
in  its  sale. — These  particulars  are  mentioned  merely  to  account 

''■e  lateness  of  a  volume  so  long  before  announced. 


iv  PREFACE. 

Of  the  greater  part  of  his  life  Gen.  Eaton  kcpta  journal :  h 
served  copies  of  all  his  official,  and  most  of  his  private  letters  :  a 
en  volumes  of  the  size  of  this  would  not  contain  the  whole.  To  t'x.- 
amine  and  collect,  from  such  a  mass  of  papers,  what  is  most  interest- 
ing ;  and  at  the  same  time  so  to  connect  it,  so  as  to  afford,  from  his  own 
pen,  a  relation  of  his  life  and  vts  principal  transactions,  has  been  a  diffi- 
cult and  laborious  undertaking.  Some  things  are  perhaps  omitted 
which  many  would  deem  of  more  importance  than  otliers  which  are 
inserted  ;  and  some  things  are  inserted  which  others  may  consider  of 
little  value.  To  please  all  was  an  impracticable  task.  Having  no  one 
to  consult  ;  no  guide  but  my  own  very  fallible  judgment ;  censure  of 
that  judgment  is  to  be  expected  ;  but  censure  of  its  faithful  exercise 
would  be  most  unmerited. 

Not  having  it  at  all  times  in  my  power  to  examine  the  proof  sheets  it 
is  probable  that  some  small  errors  of  the  press  may  be  discovered  ; 
some  perhaps  have  escaped  my  own  attention  :  nothing  I  trust  howev- 
er of  importance . 

I  at  first  intended  to  divide  the  work  into  chapters  ;    b.ut  finding 

that  such  division  must  be  entirely  arbitrary,  and  that  no  advantage 

cquld  arise  from  it ;    it  was  deemed  advisable  rather  to  leave  the 

whole  to  such  pauses  as  the  dates  or  transactions  naturally  suggest. 

.  An  insertion  of  the  list  of  Subscribers    was  intended  ;    but  it  has 

been  found  impracticable  to  obtain  in  season  the  different  subscription 

papers  issued,  a  few  in  the  neighborhood  excepted  :    hence,  and  the 

insertion  being  considered  of  little  importance,  it  has  been  thought 

unnccessay  to  delay  the  publication    for  an  object  of  such   minofr 

consequence. 

The  EDITOR' 
MrookfieUj  April  20tb,  1813. 


CONTENTS. 


From  Page  9  to  Page  5T. 


Page  9.  Preliminary  observations— birth  of  Gen.  Eaton — character- 
istic anecdotes. 
11.  Joins  the  army — prepares  for  the  university. 
12    Goes  to  Hanover. 

14.  Apointed  a  Captain  in  the  United   States    army — marries — 

joins  the  army  under  Gen.  Wayne,  in  the  North  Western 
Territory. 

15.  (Quarrel  with  Capt.  Butler. 

19.  Character  of  Gen.  Wayne. 

20,  Description  of  a  storm  at  sea. 

22.  Is  arrested  and  tried  bv  a  court  martial — letter  to  the  Secre- 
tary at  War,  in  exculpation  of  the  charges  exhibited  a- 
gainst  him. 

53.   Goes  to  Philadelpliia — arrests  Doctor  Romayne, 

54.^^ppointed  Consul  at  Tunis — embarks. 

^ram  Page  57  to  Page  152. 

57.  Commission. 

59.  Arrives  at  Algiers — description  of  the  Dey. 

61.  Arrival  at  Tunis — reception. 

65.  Conversation  with  the  Bashaw — further  discussion  respect- 
ing the  treaty. 

76.  Difficulties. 

84.  Piesents  to  the  prime  minister — altercations  with  the  re- 
gency. 

89.  Letter  to  Mr.  Pickering,  topographical  description — polit- 
ical. 

93.  Description  of  ports. 

94   Temple  of  v^isculapius — cisterns. 

96.  Government — courts. 

98.  Military  force. 

100.  Sardinian  captives — commercial  remarks —political  obser- 
vations. 

117.  Difficulties  in  part  adjusted. 

120.  Anecdotes  relative  to  wearing  a  hat  or  cap  in  presence  of 
the  Bey  or  Sapatapa. 

123.  Manners — maxims. 

124.  Spirited  letter  of  Lord  Nelson. 
126.  Complaints  against  Famine. 

130.  Letter  of  Mr.  Pickering. 

131.  Letter  of  the  President  to  the  Bashaw  of  Tunis, 


/ 


▼i  CONTENTS. 

133.  Intercourse  with  the  Sapatapa. 

136,  Circular  letter. 

13T,   i^etter  of  the  Bey  to  the  King  of  Denmark. 

140,  Letter  to  Mr.  Pickering — various  comments. 

146.  Letter   to    Mr.  Smith,   Lisbon — horsewhips    Famines—con- 

sequences. 
149.  Letter  to  Mr.  Pickering — war  declared  against  Denmark. 

From  Page  152  t»Page  184. 

152.  Letter  to  Mrs.  Eaton— admittance  to  the  presence  of 
the  Bey  of  Tunis — description  of  the  City — manners — re- 
marks on  slavery. 

156.  Letter  to  Mr.  Pynchon— description  of  Algiers — ladies  of 
Barbary  ;  their  dress — religious  observations. 

162.  Humorous  letter  to  O'Brien. 

163.  Letter  to    Mr.    Lyman  ■  Letter  to  Mr.    Hough — manners 

of  the  natives — habits  of  the  Turks — further  description  of 
Tunis — ejaculations — political  observations. 
171,  Private  letter  to  Mr.  Pickering — remarks  on   the   cultiva- 
tion of  the  date — olives — ^figs,  &c. 
.    V\1.  Letter  to  Mrs.  Eaton. 
1T.S   Privateletter  to  Mr    Pickering — consular  expenses. 
1T4.    Letter   to   Mr.    Pynchon — Washington's    Reception  iji 

Elysium. 
176.  Letter  to  Mr.  Harris^Sorrow  for   the    loss  of  Washing- 
^—     ton. 
477.  Private  letter  to  Mr.  Pickering. 
'^178.  Letter  to    Mrs.   Eaton— Mr.    Pickering's  removal  from 

the  office  of  Secretary  of  State.  \ 

.   179.  Private   letter  to  Mr.  Pickering  on   the  subject  of^nis    re- 
/'  moval  from  office. 

180.  Letter  to   Mrs     Eaton— reasons   for   relinquishmg  great 

pro.'it  by  the  purchase  of  six  Danish  vessels — letter  or  the 
Danish  Admiral — expressions  of  gratitude. 

181.  Letter   of  Mr.  Cathcart — Mahometan  superstition  and   in- 

tolerance. 

From  Page  184  to  Page  242. 

185.  Letters  to  Mr.  Marshall,  Secretary  of  State— Peace  be- 
tween Denmark  and  Tunis — conversation  with  the  Bey — 
arrival  cf  the  Anna  Maria. 

189.  O'Brien  to  EATON-arrival  of  the    Washington— ordered 

to  Constantinople— notes  by  Eaton. 

190.  To  Mr.  Smith,  Secretary  ot  the  Navy— jewelry. 

191.  To  Mr    Marshall— difficulties  with  Tripoli. 

193.  Protest  of  Mr.    Cathcart   against  the  Regency  oi^  Tripoli. 

201.  Letter  of  Mr.  Cathcart  to  Eaton— proposals  to  the 
Bashaw 

204.  To  the  Secretary  of  State — demand  for  arms— conversa- 
tion \n  consequence. 

206.  Mr  Madison,.  Secretary  of  State,  to  Eaton— jewelry- 
promised. 

208.  Ixtter  to  Mr.  Madison— situation  of  the  Ex-Bashaw— plan 
of  co-operation  with  him. 

2/)9,  To  Mr.  Madison— constitutional  doubts  relative  to  the 
4cceptar.ee  ofa  present  from  the  King  of  Denmark— lettfr 


CONTENTS.  ys. 

to  Eaton  of  the  Danish  Board  of  Members  on    Barbary 

affairs — Eaton's  answer.  .     \  ■  i 

212,  Extracts  of  letters  to  Mr.  Madison.  ^  .     -  ''-[ 

214.  To  Mr.  Cathcart — Eaton  ordered  to  quit  Tunis — order 

countermanded. 
216.  To    Mr.    Madison — proposition    of    peace  with    Tripoli, 

through  the  mediation  of  the  Bey  of  Tunis — consequent 

discussion. 
S19.  To  Mr.  King— arrival  of  the  Constellation. 
220.  To  Mr.  Madison— disagreement  with  Com.  Barron. 
223.  Letter  from  Eaton  to  the  Ex-Bashaw. 
225    To  Gen.  S.   Smith— plans  in  concert  with  the  Ex-Bashaw. 
22T.  To  Mr.   Madison— complaints  of    ill  treatment  from  the 

naval  commanders. 
230.  To  the  same — conversation  with  the  Bey. 

233.  Letter  of  the  Bey  of  Tunis  to  Mr.  Jefferson. 

234.  Extracts,  to  Mr.  Madison. 

237.  Notes  from  the  journal. 

238.  To  Mr.  Madison— claim  of  the  Bey  for  indemnification  for 

a  vessel  cpptured  by  the  Americans. 

242.  Eaton  returns  to  America. 

From  Page  242  to  Page  301. 

243.  Letter  to  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

253.  Letter   from  Mr.  Hiim,bert    to  Eaton  approving    of  his 
official  conduct. 

255.  Certificates  of  Foreign  Consuls  in  Tunis  of  the   correctness 
of  Eaton's  deportment  there. 

236.  Eaton  appointed  Navy  Agent  of  the  United  States  for 
thei  several  Barbary  powers,  with  the  view  of  aiding  the 
operations  of  Hamet,  the  Ex-Bashaw. — Letter  to  Col. 
Dvvight,  explanatory  of  his  plans  in  conjunction  with  Ham- 
et, the  encouragement,  promispd  assistance  and  duplicity,. of 
the  Administration— the  President's  Letter  to  the  Bey  of 
Tunis,  &c. 

258.  Extracts  from  the  journal — arrival  at    Malta — further  ex  ■ 
tracts — arrival  at  Grand  Cairo. 

277.  To  tlie    Secretary    of  tlie    Navy — interview  with;  the  Vice 
Roy. 

283.  To  Hon.  John  C.  Smith. 

205.  Private    Letter  to  Commodore    Preble — relation   of  plans, 
proceedings  and  expectations  with  regard  to  Hamet. 

294.  Letters  to  Capt.  Isaac  Hull. 

2ft6.  Extracts,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

297.    Convention  with  Hamet. 

From  PageSOi  to  Page  S^^. 

30.1.  Extracts  from  the  journal — march  from  Alexandria  throu^gli 
the  desert  of  Barca — difficulties,  fatigue,  distress,  anecdotes, 
arrival  of  the  army  at  Bomba  ;  of  the  Argus,  Captain  Hull, 
and  tlie  Hornet — march  to  Derne. 

336.  Letters  to  Commodore  Barroii — terms  of  amity  offered  the 
Bey  of  Dernc— relation  of  the  engagement  there— discus- 
sion of  the  right  and  policy  of  proceeding  to  Tripoli — fur- 
ther relation  of  skirmishes — further  discussion  of  the  ri^ht 
and  policy  of  perseverance. 


yyi  CONTENTS. 

361,  Letter  from  Eaton  to  CoiTitnodoreRodgers. 

364.  From  Colonel  Lear  to  Eaton,  givmg  mformation  of  the 
conclusion  of  a  treaty  with  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoh. 

366.  Letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

368.  Verbal  orders  from  Barron  to  Eaton  and  Hull— corres- 
pondence with  Commodore  Barron  and  Captain  Hull.— 
Letter  to  the    secretary  of  thek  Navy— relation,  argument, 
expectation  and  complaint  respecting    co-operation  with 
Hamet,  and  hasty  conclusion  of  peace. 

From  Page  393  to  the  End. 

393  Gen  Eaton  arrives  at  Hampton  road,  Virginia.--Mo. 
tion  in  Congress  for  bestowing  a  medal  ;  opposition  and  de- 
feat of  the  motion.  .     -r,-  .  •  .    r  iv/r  •      u 

393.  Grant  of  10,000  acres  of  land  m  the  District  of  Maine  by 
the  legislature  of  Massachusetts.  .  ,£..,, 

396  Testimony  in  relation  to  Burr's  conspiracy  before  the 
Circuit  Court  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

403,  Wilkinson  to  Eaton— Eaton's  answer. 

406.  Address  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Claims. 

408.  Attendance  in  Richmond  on  the  trial  ot  Burr. 

4i0.  Letter  on  the  death  of  his  Step  Son. 

112.  Speech  in  Town  Meeting. 

418.  Life  of  Lcitensdorfer. 

425      Letter  to  Mr.  Humbert.  ,     ,      i      -d  \-^   r^f  ti.*> 

428".  Account  of  his  last  sickness,  and  death-Remarks  of  tie 
Editor  on  his  character-anecdotes-extracts  from  his  writ- 
ings, &c. 

447.  Ode,  by  the  late  Mr.  Paine. 

448.  Extract  from  a  poem  by  Mr.  Pierront.  , 


THE  LIFE 


OF 


Gen  WILLIAM  EATON ; 


Together  with  some  of  his  COBRESF 0J\'*I)' 
EJ^CE  AND  other  WMITLYGS. 


THAT  biography  whicli  is  dictated  by  the 
partiality  of  friendship,  or  is  distorted  by  unfriendly 
preposyessious  ;  which  in  vivid  colors  poiirtrays  on- 
ly the  virtues,  or  with  rancorous  exultation  displays 
only  the  shades  of  departed  excellence;  while  it 
violates  the  sanctity  of  truth,  equally  disappoints  the 
expectations  of  honest  curiosity,  and  encourages  the 
extension  of  incertitude  and  perversion.  The  public 
have  a  just  claim  on  the  man  who  professes  to  exhibit 
the  character  of  the  deceased  :  it  claims  a  faithful 
likeness  drawn  by  the  pencil  of  truth.  The  old 
precept  J^il  de  mortuis  nisi  honmn,  was  never  in- 
tended for  history  or  biography  :  adhesion  to  such  a 
dictate  would  eflfectually  destroy  the  value  of  both. 

Nor  can  the  delineation  of  the  character,  and  rela- 
tion  of  the  actions,  of  an  individual,  be  of  utility  to 
the  reader,  where  are  discovered  only  the  amiable  and 
exalted  traits  ;  and  where  only  the  brilliant  exploits 
are  exhibited.  It  is  not  less  necessary  to  show  the 
foibles  and  deviations  from  duty,  than  the  virtues  and 
meritorious   atchievements  ;  that  the  former  may  be 


10  LIFE  or 

produced  for  avoidance,  and  the  latter  displayed  for 
imitation. 

The  subject  of  these  memoirs,  William  EatoNj 
was  born  at  Woodstock^  Connecticut,  February  S3d, 
1764.  He  was  the  second  son  of  Mr.  Nathan 
and  Mrs.  Sarah  Eaton.  His  father  died  Nov.  2Sd, 
1804  :  his  mother  is  still  alive.  His  fatlier  was  a 
plain  farmer,  who  supported  his  family  by  mamial 
industry,  and,  for  nearly  twenty  years,  by  keeping 
school  during  the  winter  season,  for  which  he  was 
qualified  ])y  more  than  ordinary  school  acquirements. 
He  had  a  large  family  for  whom  to  provide,  having 
liad  thirteen  children,  eight  of  whom  are  still  living. 

William  early  discovered  intellectual  vigor  and 
eccentricity.  To  labor  he  was  extremely  averse  in 
his  boyhood  ;  a  book,  a  pen  and  a  gun,  being  his  con- 
stant delight.  Of  his  father  he  learnt  to  read  and 
write,  and  made  considerable  progress  in  arithmetic. 
When  compelled  to  work  in  the  field  or  the  woods, 
he  usually  concealed  a  book  in  his  pocket  or  hid  it 
in  the  field,  for  the  perusal  of  which  he  left  bis  work 
when  not  overseen,  and  during  the  intervaU  of  la- 
bor. 

He  was  about  ten  years  of  age  when  his  par- 
ents removed  from  Woodstock  to  Mansfield. 
While  a  boy,  in  this  town,  such  was  his  fearless  and 
adventurous  spirit  that  he  several  times  was  near 
losing  his  life  by  his  daring  carelessness.  Returnins; 
one  Sunday  from  public  worship,  he  climbed  a  cher- 
ry tree  that  stood  beside  the  way,  from  which  he  fell, 
and  dislocated  his  shoulder  ;  and  such  was  the  con- 
cussion, owing  to  the  lieight  whence  he  fell,  that  he 
was  deprived  of  his  reason  for  several  days.  The 
first  appearance  of  returning  rationality  Avas  noticed 
on  the  succeeding  Wednesday.  A  neighbor,  a  tanner 
by  trade,  sitting  by  his  bedside,  asked  him  if  he  lov- 
ed cherries.  "^  I)o  you  love  hides  ?"  was  the  re- 
sponsive quere. 

When  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  without  the  con- 
sent or  even  knowledge  of  his  parents,  or  the  com- 


GEN.    EATOX.  il 

iminicatioii  of  his  intentions  to  any  one.  he  eloped 
from  home,  and  enlisted  in  the  army.  He  here  con- 
tinued upwards  of  a  year,  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
in  the  capacity  of  a  waiter  to  Major  Dennie,  of  the 
Connecticut  troops. 

Becoming  ill  in  health  he  ohtained  liberty  to  re- 
turn to  Connecticut :  But,  on  his  journey  home,  he 
became  so  lame  that  he  was  unable  to  proceed,  when 
within  about  two  days  journey  of  Mansfield.  Being 
without  friends,  he  supported  himself  in  the  family  of 
a  farmer,  by  mending  old  chaiis.  After  remaining 
here  three  weeks,  his  father,  having  learned  where 
he  was,  came  for  him,  and  offered  to  pay  the  farmer 
for  his  board.  Tlie  farmer  however  refused  any 
remuneration  ;  declaring  that  tlie  mending  of  chairs, 
and  the  instruction  he  had  given  his  children,  were 
sufficient  recompence  ;  and  he  should  he  very  willing 
to  board  him  much  longer,  merely  for  his  good  com- 
pany. 

William,  hoAvever  was  not  long  contented  at 
home  ;  and,  on  the  recovery  of  his  health,  again 
joined  the  army  ;  in  which  he  continued  till  the  first 
of  April  1783^  when  he  was  regularly  discharged, 
having  been  some  time  before  promoted  to  a  ser- 
geant's birth. 

He  continued  with  his  parents  till  September, 
1784,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  latin  lan- 
guage, under  the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nott  of 
Franklin.  In  the  winter  he  commenced  the  study 
of  the  Greek  language. 

In  the  summer  of  1785,  his  mind  was  most  seri- 
ously affected  with  religious  impressions,  and  he  was 
regularly  propounded  and  admitted  to  membership  in 
the  church  of  that  place. 

In  October  of  the  same  year  he  proceeded  to  Han- 
over (N.  H.)  and  was  admitted  a  Freshman  in 
Dartmouth  College,  with  permission  to  remain  ab- 
sent during  the  ensuing  winter.  Such  liberty  being 
at  that  time  frequently  granted  to  students  in  indigent 
^circumstances,  with   the  expectation  that  while  em- 


IS  LIFE    OF 

ployed  ill  leaching  school  for  the  purpose  of  replen- 
ishing their  purse^  those  to  whom  such  indulgence 
is  given,  would  attend  to  the  studies  pursued  by 
their  classmates  at  the  University,  and  be  pre- 
pared for  examination  and  re-entrance  into  their  class. 
Eaton  however,  in  consequence  of  certain  embarrass- 
ments at  home,  and  devotion  of  most  of  his  time  to 
school  keeping,  received  no  advantage  from  his  ad- 
mittance in  17S5,  as  he  was  again  admitted,  in  May 
1787;  a  member  of  the  Freshman  class. 

In  November  1785,  he  commenced  a  school  in  a 
parish  of  Windham,  called  Scotland,  devoting  how- 
ever a  part  of  his  time  to  his  college  studies  under 
the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Coggsweli..  Here  he 
continued  till  the  1st  of  June  1786:  When  he  re- 
turned to  his  parents  in  Mansfield,  laboring  on  the 
farm  a  part  of  the  time,  and  devoting  a  part  to  the 
pursuit  of  his  studies,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Welch  of  Mansfield  ;  a  gentleman  for  whom 
he  ever  after  entertained  the  highest  respect. 

In  November  he  re-commenced  his  school  in 
Windham  ;  in  which  he  continued  till  the  e^nsuing 
March,  1787. 

In  May,  1787?  witli  his  staff  over  his  shoulder,  on 
which  was  suspended  his  pacli,  containing  a  change 
of  linen,  and  a  few  trinkets,  which  he  expected  to 
sell  on  his  journey,  and  with  one  pistareen  only  of 
ready  money,  he  started  on  foot  from  Mansfield,  to 
regain  admittance  at  Dartmouth  College.  Arriving 
at  Northfield  his  money  v»  as  all  expended  ;  his  spir- 
its were  depressed ;  and  he  gave  himself  up  to  tears 
for  several  hours.  At  length,  resuming  courage,  he 
ventured  to  offer  his  pins,  needles  &c.  for  sale  ;  and, 
with  the  avails  and  charitable  assistance  on  the  road, 
was  enabled  to  reach  Hanover.  Producing  a  letter 
of  recommendation  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nott  to  Pres- 
ident Wheelock,  he  was  by  that  gentleman  treated 
with  great  kindness  ;  was  examined,  and  joined  the 
Freshman  class,  then  in  their  last  cjuarter. 


GEN.    EATON.  13 

From  the  Ist  of  January,  to  the  1st  of  May  1788, 
he  taught  a  school  in  Windsor  (Vt.)  and  then  return- 
ed to  Hanover. 

July  4th,  by  appointment,  he  sustained  a  part  in  a 
dramatic  performance,  in  an  exhibition  ordered  for 
that  day,  by  the  authority  of  the  College. 

Aware  of  the  necessity  of  every  exertion  that 
could  be  made  to  enable  hira  to  maintain  himself 
through  his  academic  course,  he  pursued  his  studies 
with  the  most  unremitting  industry,  in  order  to  pre- 
serve his  standing,  yet  be  enabled  to  devote  a  great 
pai't  of  his  time  to  school  keeping.  Excessive  ap- 
plication impaired  his  health,  and  he  was  attacked 
with  a  liectic  fever.  His  physician  advised  him  to 
suspend  his  studies  :  to  which  advice  however  he 
did  not  yield  till  compelled  by  disease.  By  a  jour- 
ney to  Windsor,  attention  to  his  complaint  while 
there,  and  refraining  from  study,  he  gradually  recov- 
ered iiis  health  and  strength. 

In  November  he  commenced  a  school  in  that 
town,  devoting  all  his  spare  hours  to  the  prosecution 
of  his  studies,  not  unfrequently  trimming  his  lamp 
till  the  grey  dawn  reminded  him  of  the  necessity  of 
sleep.  Here  he  continued  till  May  1789,  when  he 
rejoined  his  class. 

In  September  he  re-commenced  his  school  in 
Windsor,  and  continued  in  it  till  May  1790,  where 
he  remained  till  the  collegiate  exercises  of  the  Sen- 
ior class  were  closed.  After  a  journey  to  Connect- 
icut, he  returned  to  Hanover  and  took  his  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  at  Commencement,  xVug.  S5th. 
His  performance  was  a  poetic  dialogue,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  his  classmate  Wm.  Jackson.  [Of  this 
performance  I  find  no  trace  among  his  papers.] 

The  ensuing  Decem])er  he  again  opened  a  school 
in  Windsor,  in  which  he  continued  till  Aug.  1791, 
when  he  quitted  the  business  of  a  pedagogue. 

In  October  he  was  chosen  Clerk  to  the  House  of 
Delegates  for  the  State  of  Vermont. 


14  LIFE    OF 

During  the  next  winter  he  made  a  tisit  to  Con- 
necticut. He  had  a  brother,  Mr.  Calvin  Eaton, 
who  at  that  time  resided  in  Brimfield,  (Mass.)  whom 
he  visited  on  his  journey.  He  had  been  previously 
partially  acquainted  with  the  family  of  the  Hon. 
Timothy  Danielson  of  that  town ;  a  gentleman  of 
liberal  education,  who  had  sustained  several  import- 
ant civil  and  military  oflSees,  and  who  was  most 
highly  respected  by  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  liis 
acquaintance.  Gen.  Danielson  at  his  decease  left  a 
widow,  then  about  twenty  live  years  of  age,  with 
whom  Mr.  Eaton  renewed  his  acquaintance. 

In  March,  179S,  he  received  official  information 
of  his  having  been  appointed  a  Captain  in  the  Army 
of  the  United  States,  of  which  appointment  he  ac- 
cepted. This  appointment,  I  have  been  informed, 
was  procured  partly,  if  not  mostly,  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  Hon.  Stephen  R.  Bradley, 
now,  and  for  many  years  past  a  Senator  of  tlie  Unit- 
ed States  from  Vermont. 

Agreeably  to  orders  from  the  war  department,  in 
May,  he  proceeded  to  Bennington,  (Vt.)  and  took 
charge  of  the  recruits  that  had  been  raised  by  his 
Ensign,  Charles  Hyde,  and  commenced  himself 
the  recruiting  service. 

In  July  he  took  the  three  first  degrees  in  Free- 
masonry in  the  North  Star  Lodge  at  Manchester, 

Some  of  his  soldiers  having  deserted,  Capt.  Eaton 
pursued  them,  taldng  himself  the  rout  to  Windham, 
(Ct.)  and  ordering  a  sergeant  to  Windsor,  (Vt.) 
After  spending  a  short  time  in  Brimfield,  he  was 
married,  at  Union,  (Ct.)  on  the  SI st  of  August,  to 
Mrs.  Eliza  Danielson  ;  and  immediately  departed 
for  Windsor,  where  he  found  his  sergeant  with  the 
deserters. 

Having  received  marching  orders,  he  proceeded, 
in  September,  to  Albany  with  his  company,  thence 
to  New- York  and  Philadelphia.  Being  here  joined 
by  some  other  troops  he  was  ordered  to  Pittsburg, 


GEN.    EATON.  15 

where  the  troops  arrived,  Oct.  22.     He  was  here  hi- 
trodiiced  to  Gen.  Wayne. 

Shortly  after  the  troops  proceeded  down  the 
Ohio,  and  joined  the  army  at  Legionville. 

In  March  1793  Capt.  Eaton  had  an  altercation 
with  the  acting  Adjutant  General,  which  as  it  dis- 
plays much  of  his  hasty  and  decisive  temjier,  I  shall 
relate,  in  his  own  words. 

"  Sunday,  March  I7. — General  Review. — In 
consequence  of  a  deficiency  of  field  oflBcers,  I  com- 
manded the  left  column  of  the  army.  In  the  course 
of  the  maneuvres,  the  General  ordered  my  column, 
which  I  had  formed  in  two  lines  afront,  and  cover 
for  an  attack  in  front,  to  form  the  line  in  the  flank 
by  facing  the  lines  to  the  left,  and  wheeling  by  files 
to  tlie  right.  This  brought  my  flank  platoons  and 
music  in  the  centre ;  the  centre  on  the  flanks,  and 
my  rear  rank  in  front. 

When  the  tiring  ceased — the  Acting  Adjutant 
General  gave  orders  to  take  up  the  line  of  march, 
and  return  in  the  same  order  as  we  marched  on  the 
ground^  which  Avas  by  files  from  the  right,  counter- 
march— I  immediately  ordered  the  two  wings  to 
countermarch  from  the  left  and  centre,  which  was 
the  only  possible  method  of  bringing  them  to  their 
proper  order. — The  Adj.  Gen.  observing  this,  and 
not  knowing  the  position  of  the  column,  counter- 
manded his  own  order,  by  ordering  me  to  counter- 
march by  the  left — I  was  positively  right,  and  was 
confident  that  I  was  bringing  the  column  in  the  posi- 
tion which  he  himself  wished — and  consequently 
continued  my  march — When  I  had  brought  the  head 
of  the  column  to  its  proper  position — B.  the  Adj. 
Gen.  met  me,  and  in  presence  of  the  General  taxed 
me  with  having  disobeyed  a  positive  general  order. 
I  told  him  I  positively  had  not,  but  was  right — A 
short,  but  pointed  contradiction  ensued — B.  threat- 
ened to  make  me  repent  my  conduct — I  challenged 
him  to  do  it — This  irritated  his  rage,  he  advanced  on 
lierseback  towards  me  with  his  lifted  sword — I  met 


16  LIFE   OF 

bis  advance  with  my  espoiitoon — The  General  em- 
phatically observed  that  this  w^s  no  place  to  alter- 
cate,  and  ordered  the  march  to  continue — I  prompt- 
ly obeyed.  When  the  Legion  returned  to  the  grand 
parade  and  vi^ere  dismissed — I  wrote  B.  a  challenge 
as  follows — 

Legionvilhy  iyth  March,  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 
Sir, 

I  am  to  understand — and  am  to  b&  understood  by 
Capt.  Butler. 

EATON. 

The  Acting  Mj.  Gen. 

This  billet  was  honored  by  my  friend,  Captain 
Slough,  on  r2ception  of  which  B.  pledged  his  honor 
that  I  should  hear  from  him. 

The  next  morning,  lie  wrote  me  the  following  an- 
swer. 

18^/i  March,  1793. 
Sir, 

I  received  your  note  hy  Capt.  Slough,  and  had 
wrote  last  evening  in  answer  frf  it  be  possible  to  an- 
swer one  so  equivocal:  J  hoivever,  ere  I  had  quite  fin- 
ished, company  came  in  and  prevented  me.  On  a 
review  of  the  contents  this  morning,  least  any  illnat- 
ured  person  should  put  wrong  constructions,  I  ivill 
first  make  you  this  proposal,  that  as  I  feel  mijself  ex- 
ceedingly aggrieved  in  your  conduct  of  yesterday,  ice 
will  take  the  opportunity  of  a  general  explanation  in 
the  presence  of  the  gentlemen  who  commanded  in 
your  column,  and  who  must  generally  understand 
what  passed,  and  the  cause — 

Should  this  explanation  not  prove  satisfactory, 
you  shall  be  apprized  of  my  further  intentions — You 
can  name  the  place  if  you  please  ;  and  let  me  knoiv. 

Tours,  8Cc. 

E.  BUTLER. 

Capt.  Wm.  Eaton. 


GEX.    EATON.  17 

To  which  I  wrote— 

Monday  Evening,  iSth  March. 
Sir, 
-   With  plea  sure  Iivaiton  you  in  company  with  the 
s^entlcmen  of  my  column—  Please,    Sir,  name  the 
time  and  place, 

EATON. 
Ckipt.  Butler,  Acting  Jldj.  Gen. 
In  return  of  which  I  r(!Coived  the  following. 

iSth  March,  1793. 

SiRj 

Having  received  your  note  o^'  acquiescence,  I  have 
appointed  Capt.  Price's  hut  as  the  place  of  meeting, 
f  shall  endeavor  to  attend  there  in  one  hour. 

Monday,  half  past  6  o^clock,  P.  M. 

,  E.  BUTLER. 
Cajjt.  Eaton. 

Accordingly  we  met — I  observed  to  the  gentle- 
men that  I  had  come  there  in  consequence  of  Capt. 
Butler's  request,  who  had  called  on  them  to  attend, 
and  that  I  expected  lie  would  suggest  his  business 
to  them.  Tliis  he  did^  by  a  statement  of  a  number 
of  questions  ;  and  we  retired. 

Soon  the  gentlemen  requested  our  attendance, 
and  exhibited  their  opinion  as  follows. 

''  The  referees,  to  determine  the  diiference  be- 
tween Captains  Butler  and  Eaton,  are  of  opinion 
that  however  wrong  Capt.  Eaton  was,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, Capt.  Butler  was  equally  if  not  more  so 
in  the  second  :  and  as  they  were  both  mifortunate 
in  being  culpable,  so  it  is  incumbent  on  both  to  come 
forward  and  bury  the  matter  in  oblivion,  by  again 
renewing  their  former  friendship. 

BENJAMIN  PRICE,  Capt.  ^th  S.  Leg. 

President. 

March  18,  '93, 

To  thiij  opinion  Capt.  B.  conceded,  and  offered 
me  his  hand.  I  observed  that  I  would  ever  sacri- 
fice my  own  to  the  oiiinion  of  niY  friends  :  iwid  ac- 
cepted  it'*' 

8 


IS  LIFE    OF 

On  the  5ih  of  May  the  army  arrived  at  Cincinati, 
Eaton  thus  described  the  Ohio  and  its  banks. 

^'   During  the  last  three  days  of  onr  desoeirt,   the 
eircumstance  of  my  having   been   detailed   for   the 
year  guard^  gave  me  a  very  considerable   advantage 
of  the  officers  who  were  attached  to  the  line — I  took 
my  own  time  to  progress^  and  my  own  method  of  ob- 
servation  so  far  as  was  ,  consistent  w  itli  my   orders. 
Never  was  my  eye  so  much  delighted  with  the  rude 
uncultured  grandeur   of  nature.     A   description   of 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio  mocks,  or  can  but  ape  reality. 
Creography  has  never  yet  done  justice  to  the  subject. 
For  more  than  two   hundred  miles  I   saw  not  a  hill 
incapable  of  culture.     All  so  far  as  eye  can  ken  is  a 
fertile  bottom   variegated   with   gentle   rises.     The 
rank  and  rapid  growth  of  vegetation,  and  the  prodig- 
ious weight  of  timber,  demonstrate  the  natural  luxu- 
riance of  the   soil.     The   sycamore,   the   elm,   the 
beach,  the  aspin,  the  hicory,  the  walnut,   and   the 
maple,   or  sugar  tree,  are  large  beyond  credibility. 
The  trees  even  at  this  early  season,  were  in  full  foli- 
age.    The  herbage  which  covered  the  surface  of  the 
bottom,  was    nearly    two    feet    high.     I   frequently 
walked  the  bottom,  with  two  faithful  soldiers  of  my 
guard,  oLe  of  vvhom  was  an   active  Canadian,  till  I 
found  myself  almost  insensibly  strayed  two  or   three 
miles  from  my  boat.     The   soil  continued  the  same. 
These  little  excursions,  or  ratlier  eccentricities,  were 
on   the   Indian  side  of  the   river.     The   tracks    of 
dear,   bear  and   buffaloes,   were   extremely   plenty, 
and  here  and  there  a  mokasin.     I   sav/  none  of  the 
animals  ;    the    noise   of  the    preceding   army   had 
pro])ably  frighted  them  from  the  sliore. 
,  After  all  which  can  be  said  of  its  banks  little  can 
be  said   of  the   river.     It   is    the   most   capricious 
stream  I  ever  saw.     However  incredible,  true  it  is, 
tl\at  its  Avaters  frequently  rise  in  tlie  freshes  from  ten 
to  fifteen  feet  in  one   night,  and  fall  again  in  a   very 
few  days.     Its    current  is  rapid,  at  the  rate   of  five 
miles  an  hour   in  time  of  the   freshes  ;  consequently 


GEN.    EATON.  19 

tiie  unwieldy  boats  which  float  down,  never  ascend. 
Keel  bottom  boats  and  canoes  are  rowed  against  the 
current,  but  Avith  considerable  labor,  I  am  no 
friend  to  the  first." 

In  August,  an  Ensign  by  tlie  name  of  Morgan, 
was  tried  by  a  Court  Martial,  on  charges  exhibited 
by  Gren.  St.  Clair,  and  cashiered.  Eaton  thus 
records  the  names  of  the  Court,  and  their  subsequent 
fate  a  short  time  after. 

"  Brisadier  Gen.  Thomas  Posey,  President — Ke- 
signed  and  dead. 

Majors.         D.  Resigned  and  dead. 

H.  .Damned  by  brandy. 

Captains.      P.  Dead  per  do. 

P.  Dead. 

Eaton.        At  Tunis. 
P.  Damned  by  brandy. 

M.  Dead. 

F.  Dead. 

P.  Dead. 

J .  Damned  ])y  brandy. 

Campbell.  Killed." 
Such  is  the  disgust  with  which  men  view  the  im- 
prudence   and  vices  of  others  ;  so   confident  too   of 
never  immitating  their  examples  : 

Yet,  seen  too  oft,  familiar  to  the  face, 
We  first  endure,  then  pity,  then  embrace. 

Capt.  Eaton  continued  with  the  western  army 
till  February  1794,  when  he  obtained  leave  of  ab- 
sence. During  this  time  he  was  engaged  in  various 
skirmishes  and  scouting  parties,  and  assisted  in  the 
erection  of  Fort  Recovery. 

The  following  is  the  character  which  he  gives  of 
Gen.  Wayne,  written  about  the  year  1795. 

"  He  is  firm  in  constitution  as  in  resolution  ; — 
industrious,  indefatigable,  determined  and  persever- 
ing ; — fixed  in  opinion,  and  unbiased  in  judgment  ;— 
not  over  accessible  ;  but  studious  to  reward  merit. 
He  is   a  rock  against  which  the  waves  of  calumny 


so  -iJl-'E    OF 

and  malice,  moved  by  the  gust  of  passions  natiu-ai  t« 
envy,  have  dashed — have  washed  its  sides.  He  is 
still  immoveable  on  his  base — He  is  in  some  degree 
susceptible  of  adulation,  as  is  every  man  who  has  an 
honest  thirst  for  military  fame — He  endures  fatigue 
and  hardship  Avith  a  fortitude  uncommon  to  men  of 
his  years.  I  have  seen  liim  in  the  most  severe  night 
of  the  winter  of  'Q%  sleep  on  the  ground  like  his  fel- 
low soldier;  and  walk  around  his  camp  at  four  in  the 
morning,  with  the  vigilance  of  a  sentinel.'' 

"^  His  manners  are  austere  and  forbidding,  but  Jiis 
heart  is  susceptible  of  the  finest  feelings  of  sensibil- 
ity. WJien  in  danger,  he  is  in  his  element ;  and 
never  shows  to  so  good  advantage,  as  when  leading 
a  charge.  His  name  is  better  in  an  action,  or  in  an 
enemy's  country,  than  a  brigade  of  undisciplined 
levies." 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  in  Philadelphia,  he 
returned  to  Brimiield.  In  June,  by  request  from  the 
war  office,  he  engaged  in  recruiting  at  Springfield  ; 
the  (Secretary  at  War,  Oifering  him  liis  option,  to  at- 
tend to  tlic  recruiting  service,  or  to  return  to  the  ar- 
my at  the  westward.  In  this  service  he  remained 
till  October  1/95?  when  he  received  orders  to  inarch 
to  Georgia.  He  arrived  v/ith  his  troops  in  Philadel- 
phia,  and  on  the  1st  of  December  embarked  thence 
for  Georgia.  On  the  night  of  the  13th,  arose  a  most 
violent  storm  of  rain,  hail,  tlumder  and  liglitning; 
which  is  thus  described  in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Eaton, 

Hoarse  thro'  tljc  corciagc  growlcc'  the  llircaicning  blast, 
Portcnteous  of  the  slonn.     The  expanse  of  Heaven, 
O'ercast  witii  murky  columns,  seemed  convulsed 
With  one  wide  visie  of  elemental  v/ar. 
From  every  point,  ah^ng  the  boundini;  surjjes, 
Rolled  the  black  phalanx  of  electric  fluid, 
Born  on  the  pinions  of  tiie  maddenin,:^  storm. 

Ocean  oppressed,  and  shrinking  from  the  alarm, 
Rushed  from  the  deep  with  agonizing  pangs, 
And  urged,  in  vain,  precipitate  retreat. 

Dowr,  rushed  the  glaring  tempest,  rain  and  hail, 
In  winding  torrents  closed,  and  the  vast  space 


GEX.    EATON.  31 

Of  sea  and  air  seemed  one  promiscuous  deluge. 
Blue  streams  of  angling  sulphur  blazed  around, 
Transforming  midnight  to  the  fire  of  day, 
Reserving  all  her  horrors.     Peals  on  peals 
Burst  from  the  flaming  batteries  of  heaven, 
And  nought  but  horror  stalked  along  the  gloorn. 
Deep  plunged  the  tortured  brig  beneath  the  gulph, 
Them  bounding  o'er  the  waves,  along  the  skies 
Inveloped  in  the  storm,  wrapt  herbroad  decks 
Amidst  the  lightning's  soursc  ;  then  plunged  again 
Beneath  the  breaking  surges.     All  the  while 
The  hardened  sailor  and  as  hardened  soldier, 
Dispairing  and  forlorn,  saught  tlial  dernier 
And  natural  resort  from  danger,  prayer. 

The  shrieks  of  female  terror,  and  the  cries 
Of  infant  fear,  spoke  uniform  distraction  :  -^ 

And  each  articulation  plead  for  mercy  : 
As  if  the  God  creative  had  forgotten 
His  attributes  of  kindness. 

Eight  gloomy  hours  we  plunged  in  dread  suspence  : 
Fear  and  amazement  occupied  the  soid, 
And  hope  was  almost  exiled  :   till  at  length 
Breathed  the  soft  spirit  of  our  gentler  fate. 
Wafting  the  lightning's  vapor  through  the  skies, 
Silenced  the  distant  murm 'rings  of  the  thunder. 
And  soothed  the  angry  surface  of  the  deep. 

Once  more  the  prince  of  day  smiled  from  the  east, 
And  each  glad  heart  to  a  relenting  heaven 
Tendered  the  silent  gratitude  of  praise." 

On  the  26tli  he  arrived  at  SavannaLj  and  on  the 
30th  at  St  Mary's.  He  reported  himself  to  the  offi- 
cer commanding  at  that  station,  Lieut.  Col.  Henry 
Graither  ;  and  took  the  command  of  a  detachment  of 
160  soldiers  from  Virginia,  whose  commanding  of- 
ficer was  Capt.  Tinsley  ;  making  in  the  whole  num- 
ber of  troops  on  that  station,  about  300. 

The  erection  of  a  fort  at  Colerain,  on  the  St.  Ma~ 
ry*s,  had  been  determined,  and  to  this,  immediate  at- 
tention was  paid  by  Capt.  Eaton,  though  he  had 
strong  objections  to  the  ground,  being  low,  marshy 
and  unhealthy.  This  fortification  he  called  Fort 
Pickering  ;  "  not  however,"  says  he,  **  that  I  might 
satirize   a  good  mail   by  erecting  his  monument   in 


LIFE  or 

I' 

In  May  arrived  three  Commissioners  of  the  U.  S. 
deputed  to  make  a  treaty  witli  tlie  Creek  Indians, 
who  had  long  been  exceedingly  troublesome  on  the 
frontiers  of  Georgia.  This  was  effected  the  last  of 
June. 

The  objects  of  the  force  at  St.  Mary's  were,  the 
establishment  of  a  trading  factory  on  its  waters,  and 
a  military  force  ;  to  overawe  the  Indians  or  arrest 
the.a  if  necessary  ;  to  keep  the  Spaniards  in  check, 
who  had  been  represented  unfriendly  ;  and  to  pre- 
vent a,ny  disorderly  conduct  of  the  citizens  of  Geor- 
gia towards  the  inhabitants  of  Florida.  The  prin- 
ciple object  however  had  regard  to  the  Indians  ; 
which  oljject  was  in  a  great  measure  obtained  by  the 
treaty  made  between  the  commissioners  and  the 
Creeks. 

A  misunderstanding  had  for  some  months  existed 
between  Capt.  Eaton,  and  Col.  Gaither,  and  other 
officers  ;  and  in  August,  Eaton  was  arrested  and 
tried  by  a  Court  Martial. 

As  a  laborious  attempt  was  made  by  Col.  Burr, 
during  his  trial  at  Richmond,  to  destroy  the  credibil- 
ity and  even  the  competency  of  Eaton's  testimony, 
on  account  of  the  charges  at  this  time  brought  against 
him  ;  and  as  some  of  his  friends  may  have  entertained 
unfavorable  suspicions  from  the  circumstance  of  his 
having  undergone  a  trial  ;  it  is  proper  that  some 
statement  of  it  should  be  made.  The  following  let- 
ter, though  long,  it  is  hoped  will  not  be  tedious  ;  as 
it  certainly  exhibits  no  unfavorable  specimen  of 
his  talents  as  a  pleader,  as  well  as  eloquence  as  a 
writer.     It  is  addressed  to  the  secretary  at  war. 

Fort  Piclcering,  iSth  Sejpt.  1796. 

Sir, 

Constrained  by  the  injuries  I  suffer,  I  assume  the 
honor  of  addressing  you  on  a  subject  not  less  painful 
to  me  than  I  am  sure,  it  will  be  unwelcome — 

Since  my  arrival  and  first  acquaintance  with  the 
Commandant  of  the  federal  troops  in  Georgia,  I  have 


GEN.    EA.TON.  S3 

been  apprised  of  his  disposition  to  embarrass  me — 
My  friends  say  it  was  in  consequence  of  my  com^ 
mand  ;  but  I  believe  his  animosity  may  be  traced  to 
other  sources.  I  reported  to  him  from  Savannah 
S6th,  Dec.  and  from  St.  Mary's  30th,  inclosing  a 
copy  of  your  instructions.  On  his  arrival  here  in  Feb- 
ruary I  submitted  to  him  all  arrangements  I  had 
either  made  or  contemplated  :  with  these  he  affected 
to  acquiesce,  and  even  condescended  to  compliment 
my  exertions — But  the  mask  was  soon  thrown  off;, 
and  1  found  myself  placed  between  his  animosity  and 
my  own  duty.  I  continued  to  consult  him — but  his 
orders  he  always,  except  in  a  few  instances,  dictated 
to  me  verbally — I  found  his  memory  treacherous,  and 
remonstrated  against  this  sort  of  discipline,  but  with- 
out effect.  For  obedience  of  these  orders  I  have 
in  some  instances  been  reprimanded  and  in  one 
charged  with  criminality.  This  with  other  charges  I 
shall  take  the  liberty  to  annex  to  this  letter,  with  a 
copy  of  my  defence.  The  proceedings  of  the  court 
will  undoubtedly  be  forwarded  to  the  war  office  ac- 
cording to  law,  from  which  it  may  be  determined 
whether  the  prosecution  has  been  actuated  by  public 
or  sinister  views. 

However  the  command  assigned  me  may  have  in.^ 
fluenced  the  resentment  of  the  commandant,  there 
are  other  more  ostensible  causes  ;  some  of  which  I 
beg  leave  to  suggest — He  holds  lands  in  the  Yazoo 
purchases. — On  his  arrival  and  first  introduction  he 
offered  me  a  bargain  of  500,000  acres,  I  think,  at 
35,000  dollars,  not  supposing  I  had  informed  my- 
self of  the  invalidity  of  the  title — I  acknowledge  I 
humored  his  proposal  to  try  tlie  extent  of  his  candor;, 
but  at  length  I  dropped  the  subject  of  the  bargain,  and 
candidly  reprobated  the  manner  in  which  the  grants 
were  obtained  ;  at  the  same  time  observing  that  I 
would  not  thank  a  man  for  an  opportunity  of  specu- 
lating on  the  credulity  of  ignorance,  and  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  justice. 


;^1  LIFE  or 


He  is»au  allied  IViciul  to  a  man  who   owns  large 
tracts  of  land  in  the  vicinity   of  this  post,     I  have, 
not  hesitated  to  censure  the  speculative  views  which 
must  have  induced  tlie  proprietor  to  recommend  this 
fjs  a  military  post,  or  proper  position  for  the  tradins; 
factory — Such  have  been  my  reports   to  the  Wal- 
Office — This   had  added  fuel  to  the  blaze   already 
kindled  to  consume  me.     But  I  have  dealt  uprightly 
on  this  subject.     The  resentment  of  no   man   shall 
warp  my   sentiments  from    that  which  I  believe  is 
due  to  truth  and   my   duty.     A  post   never   should 
have  been   established  here.      The  vast  extent  of 
nuasliy  and  low  country,  retaining  the  w^ater  on  its 
surface,  and  the  putrefaction   of  a\\  vegetable   sub- 
stances Avhich   fall  from  the  trees,  or  are  produced 
from  the  soil,  impregnate  the  air  with  miasmata  des- 
tructive to  health.     The  country  cannot  be  washed 
with  rains  ;  the  water  Avhich  falls  must  principally 
go  oiF  by   evaporation.     This  produces  a  great  de-. 
gice  of  humidity  in  the  air  ;  this  is  evidenced  by  the 
chill  which  immediately  succeeds  the  absence  of  the 
sunbeams,  the  amazing  swarms  of  musquetoes  and 
other  insects  which  fill  the  air  ^  and   the   numerous 
small  frogs  which  even   get   into   the    chambers  and 
garrets  of  houses  ;    the  propensity   of  all   metals  to 
corrode   when  exposed   to   the  air,  and  the  sallow, 
sickly  complexion  of  the  inhabitants,  who  are  settled 
upon  the  low  bluffs  and  ridges — The  latter,  I  recol- 
lect, made  forceable  impressions  upon  the  feelings  of 
Mr.  Clymer   and   General  Pickens,   with  whom  I 
did  myself  the  honor  to  visit  a  settlement  in  this  vi- 
cinity in  June  last.     This  miasmata,  with  which  thf'. 
air  is  continually  more  or  less  impregnated,  although 
it  may  not  be  so  poisonous  as  to  produce   contagious 
diseases,   insensibly  preys  upon  the,  human  system, 
and  in  a  short  time   produces   sensible   effects — The 
countenances  from     northern    climates,     and    hilly 
countries,  which  are  llorid   and   healthful,   on  being 
placed  a  few  months  in  this  low  ground,  become  pal- 
lid, and  the  system  enervated.     This  is  visible  in  the 


GEN.    EATON.  25 

troops  who  cafiie  out  with  me  from  the  northward^ 
and  the  citizens  who  have  lived  in  the  upper  counties 
of  this  and  other  southern  States^ — The  seaboard  is 
healthy  ;  but  I  venture  to  assert,  even  if  it  should 
finish  the  destruction  of  my  reputation,  which  has 
been  so  hopefully  contemplated,  that  there  is  but  one 
eligible  military  position  from  the  mouth  to  the  source 
of  this  river,  and  this  is  Trader's  Hill.  For  the  jus- 
tice of  this  remark  I  beg  leave  to  refer  to  General 
Pickens  and  Col.  Hawkins,  with  both  of  whom  I 
had  the  honor  to  reconnoiter  that  position,  and  with 
the  latter  the  whole  extent  of  country  quite  to  the 
Indian  line.  It  has  been  insinuated  that  I  am  inter- 
ested in  mentioning  Trader's  Hill.  I  solemnly  declare 
I  never  owned,  nor  have  I  in  contemplation  to  own,  a 
foot  of  land  in  the  state  of  Georgia — were  this  oth- 
erwise, and  the  insinuation  true,  still  would  my  re- 
ports remain  on  the  rock  of  truth.  The  representa- 
tions  which  have  been  made  to  recommend  this  post 
have  been  wrapped  up  in  speculation.  I  do  not  be- 
lieve the  country  in  its  vicinity  can  ever  be  success- 
fully settled.  The  children  born  in  its  neighbor- 
hood seldom  arrive  to  adult  age.  Soon  after 
they  leave  the  breast  they  assume  the  complexion 
before  described,  and  insensibly  mature  to  the  grave. 
The  few  inhabitants  who  are  settled  here  and  there, 
beneath  the  pines,  have  either  been  seduced  by  a 
dream  of  fortune,  or  have  escaped  fromtiie  discipline 
of  law,  or  the  prosecution  of  catholic  jealousy.  But 
at  this  moment  the  surface  of  the  country  in  this  vi- 
cinity for  many  miles,  except  here  and  there  a  bluff 
or  ridge,  is  inundated — I  cannot  but  consider  it  a 
prodigality  of  human  life  and  happiness  to  sacrifice 
them  to  individual  interest.  Observations  of  this 
kind  placed  me  as  a  target  for  a  formidable  coali- 
tion. Other  circumstances,  combined  with  these, 
have  tended  to  precipitate  the  storm  :  some  of  which 
are  delineated  in  my  defence.  I  have  frequently 
said  I  thought  Mr.  Price  an  improper  person  to  be 
employed  at  the  head   of  the  trading  factory.     The 

4 


S(j  LIFE    OF 

moroseness  of  his  disposition,  wliicli  is  so  plainly  de- 
picted in  liis  countenance,  and  which  exhibits  itself 
on  all  occasions  of  the  least  perplexity,  I  believe 
v/ould^  and  did  disgust  many  of  the  Indians  and  tra- 
ders. From  this  circumstance  I  have  frequently  in- 
vited both  Indians  and  traders  to  my  quarters  and 
entertained  them,  who  were  dissatisfied  with  the  man- 
ners of  the  factor.  These  people  want  much  atten- 
tion, and  are  as  jealous  of  neglect  as  people  in  the 
refined  walks  of  life.  It  was  my  study  that  they 
should  imagine  nothing  of  the  kind  from  me.  By 
these  means  I  found  them  growing  attached  to  me 
and  the  troops,  whom  they  call  Gen.  Washington's 
men.  If  I  have  not  rendered  my  country  a  service 
by  these  little  sacrifices,  I  have  at  least  studied  to 
do  it.  But  as  nothing  can  be  seen  in  its  true  color 
by  a  jaundiced  eye,  so  neither  was  this  conduct  of 
mine.  My  particular  attention  to  these  people 
was  construed  into  an  interference  with  the  trading 
department;  and  the  resentment  which  this  and  oth- 
er tilings,  hereafter  mentioned,  excited  in  the  factor, 
added  an  auxiliary  to  the  coalition. 

On  intimation  of  what  was  carrying  on,  I  twice, 
by  letter,  solicited  of  the  commandant  a  court  of  en- 
quiry ;  and  repeatedly  by  verbal  request.  My  first 
application  by  writing  he  totally  neglected ;  my 
last  he  equivocally  answered  and  evaded.  My  ver- 
bal requisitions  were  ahvays  procrastinated ;  hence 
I  saw  nothing  but  my  removal  from  command  could 
eftect  the  object  of  the  allies,  and  I  reconciled  myself 
to  the  process.  On  the  5th  Aug.  I  received  a  letter 
from  the  Commandant,  from  wiiich  I  extract :  "  You 
will  make  out  a  return  of  all  public  stores  which  yon 
received  in  Philadelphia,  previous  to  yonr  sailing  to 
Georgia  :  also  all  ordnan«e  and  public  stores  of  eve- 
ry kind  whatever  which  you  have  received  since 
you  arrived  in  Georgia,  noting" all  issues  and  expen- 
ditures ;  the  month  for  which  you  have  signed  ab- 
stracts, and  the  amount  of  each  abstract ;  and  deliv- 


GEX.    EATON.  ^ 


'^i 


er  the  same  to  Major  Freeman,  two  days  after  your 
reaeipt  of  this/' 

This  order  I  executed  with  as  much  accuracy  as 
the  time  prescribed  admitted.  On  the  7th,  I  receiv- 
ed the  following  from  Major  Freeman.  '^  I  have  to 
inform  you  that  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  Lieut. 
Col.  Commandant  Gaithcr,  commanding  officer  of 
the  Federal  troops  in  Georgia,  dated  F.  S.  Tamma- 
ny, on  the  3d.  instant,  I  do  this  day  take  upon  ray- 
self  the  command  of  the  troops  in  garrison  at  this 
post.  The  folloAv  ing  is  an  extract  from  the  aforesaid 
order.  "  It  is  my  request  that  on  your  arrival  at 
Colerain  you  should  take  upon  yourself  the  com- 
mand of  the  troops  at  that  post."  You  will  therefore 
direct,  &c. 

This  order  of  the  Lieut.  Col.  was  inforced  by  his 
verbal  order  that,  if  I  should  refuse  to  give  up  the 
command,  the  Major  should  put  me  in  irons  !  High 
sense  of  military  privilege  !  From  this,  however,  he 
was  dissuaded  by  the  argument  of  the  Major;  and  of 
it  I  was  never  informed  till  since  mv  trial. 

1  gave  up  the  command  agreeably  to  the  above  or- 
der ;  and  on  the  17th,  received  from  the  hand  of  the 
officer  of  tlie  day,  an  arrest  in  the  handwriting  and 
signature  of  Colonel  Gaither,  containing  the  charges, 
which  I  beg  leave  to  copy  in  their  order  in  the  fol- 
lowing defence. 

Gentlemen, 

If  I  were  capable  of  adulation,  and  believed  yon 
susceptible  of  the  charm,  I  would  not,  on  this  occa- 
sion, put  myself  behind  that  shield  of  guilt  :  for  I 
stand  not  here  to  solicit  favors,  but  to  demand  justice. 
Your  candor  I  believe  will  be  measured  by  the  lat- 
ter, your  resolution  steeled  against  the  former  ;  and 
your  understanding  placed  oa  the  watchtower  of 
truth,  to  direct  your  decision  ;  at  the  same  time  that 
it  will  stamp  correction  upon  any  improper  shades, 


S8  LIFE    OF 

or  colorings,  which  the  interest  I  feel  in  that  decision 
may  induce  me  to  cast  upon  the  process. 

Persuaded  I  am  the  court  have  already  grown  wea- 
ry in  the  tedious  investigation  of  the  charges  exhibit- 
ed against  me,  and  I  could  not  a  moment  draw  on 
your  further  patience,  did  I  not  consider  it  an  obli- 
gation due  to  my  own  reputation. 

Some  observations  on  the  evidence  before  you,  ap- 
plied to  the  charges,  shall  introduce  my  defence. 

1st.  I  am  charged  Avith  "  Speculating  on  my  men 
with  nankeens  at  sundry  times  ;  and  other  things." 

I  believe  you  will  find  that  I  never  but  in  one  in- 
stance had  any  dealings  with  the  men  of  my  compa- 
ny in  nankeens  ;  that  I  did,  by  unanimous  and  vol- 
untary agreement  of  the  company,  furnish  them  with 
a  uniform  of  nankeen  short  coats  ;  that  they  agreed 
to  receive  them  at  any  price  short  of  two  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  ;  and  that,  on  settlement,  two  dollars  only 
were  charged  for  each  coat.  The  best  evidence  of 
which  the  nature  of  the  case  would  admit,  has  un- 
doubtedly been  produced  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  in  substantiation  of  this  charge  ;  yet  on  a  cal- 
culation which  the  court  will  make,  rests  the  ques- 
tion, whether  in  this  article  I  have  intended  to  profit 
by  the  provision  made  my  company.  Nothing  has 
appeared  to  show  that  the  price  was  unreasonable. 
Sallyer,  a  foreman  of  the  taylors,  has  sworn,  that 
just  such  coats  in  Philadelphia,  would  cost  three 
dollars,  or  at  least  two  dollars  and  three  quarters. 
At  the  lowest  rate  then,  the  men  save  seventy  five 
cents  by  my  speculation.  The  factor,  Mr.  Price,  it 
appears,  did  sell  one  piece  of  nankeen  to  Captain 
Nickols  at  one  dollar  and  twenty  five  cents,  and  said 
it  was  tlie  price  he  gave  in  Philadelphia.  This  may 
be  tru€.  But  was  the  Factor,  Mr.  Price,  on  oatli 
when  he  made  this  declaration  ?  Will  this  court  ad- 
mit the  cursory  observation  of  a  man  out  of  court, 
and  not  on  oatli,  to  be  a  criteiion  to  determine  the 
price   current    of  nankeens  in  Philadelphia,  even 


GEN.    EATON.  Jl9 

when  no  respect  is  had  to  the  time  of  purchase  ?  On 
no  principle  can  evidence  of  this  sort  be  admitted  ! 

,  It  appears  from  the  testimony   of  witnesses  that 
the  few  pieces  which  Mr.  Price   disposed   of  here, 
this  one  piece  excepted,  were  sold  at  one  and  an  half 
dollar — These  were  brought  out  in  the   same  ves- 
sel  of  the   United  States    with  those  in  question, 
and  sold  by  a  man  in  the  service  and  pay  of  govern- 
ment— undoubtly  he  would  not  speculate   on  them. 
Nankeens  have  at  St.  Mary's,  all  this  season,  I  be- 
lieve, been  sold  at  one  dollar  and  seventy   five  cents. 
Doctor  Gillasspy  has  informed  the  court  that  he  was 
asked  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  for  nankeens  in  the 
city  of  New  York.     It  is  well  known  that  goods  of 
this  kind  are  cheaper  in  that  metropolis  than  in  Phila- 
delphia— At  an   early  period  I  informed  the  court 
that  those  nankeens  were  procured  for  me    by  a  mer- 
chant taylor  in  Philadelphia.     I  did  not  take  a  bill ; 
nor  do  I  recollect  the  exact  price  I  gave,  but  believe 
it  was  about  one  dollar  and  an  half.     In  addition  to 
the  making,  binding  and  other  trimming,  which  were 
brought  into    calculation,    ought  to  be  reckoned   the 
subsistence   whicli  the  taylors   daily  had  in  my  fam- 
ily extra  to  their  rations.     I  acknowledge  it  is  not  in 
my  power  to  make  an  exact  calculation  to  a  fraction  ; 
but  from  an  estimate  which  was  made  by  Mr.  M'Call 
the  paymaster,  and  myself,  it  was  concluded  that  two 
dollars  was  a  reasonable  price  to  fix  to  the   coats.     I 
had  been  previously  informed  by   the   taylors  of  the 
price  they  gave  for  the  binding  and  other  trimmings, 
as  testified  by  Sallyer,  and  made  my  calculations  ac- 
cordingly.    The   general   satisfaction    of  tlie    men 
evince  that  they  feel  no  injury  ;  and  it  is  demonstrat- 
ed that  the  measure  of  receiving  them  and  paying  for 
them  was  not  compulsory.     The  climate  and  season 
of  the  year,  were  my  reasons  for  recommending  the 
uniform.      I    had  previously  consulted    the  Lieut. 
Col.  Commandant,  and  informed  him  of  the  price,  a- 
bout  two  and  an  lialf  or  two  dollars  ;    he  approved 
the  plan.     If  justice  is    done  me  a  more  favorable 


30  LIFE    OF 

eonstruefcioii  will  be  applied  to  my  conduct  in  this 
affair,  and  it  will  be  found  that  humanity  rather  than 
avarice  actuated  my  proceeding.  I  do  candidly  be- 
lieve if  every  thing  which  ought  were  brought  into  the 
calculation,  I  have  not  saved  my  expences.  Sure  I 
am  it  would  require  a  microscopic  eye  to  count  my 
profit.  No  evidence  appears,  even  presumptive,  to 
substantiate  this  charge  ;  if  corgecture  should  be 
hazzarded  on  the  question,  it  will  go  in  favor  of  the 
defence,  for  such  are  the  maxims  of  law  and  indi- 
vidual right. 

.The  "  other  things,"  mentioned  in  the  charge,  it 
seems,  must  have  intended  a  partnership  with  a  citi- 
zen in  settling  with  the  troops.  That  I  sold  Mr. 
Hampton  eighty  pieces  of  nankeen,  bought  at  ven- 
due, at  a  profit  of  25  per  cent,  is  true  ;  but  that  I  was 
interested  directly,  or  indirectly  in  the  profit  he 
should  make  in  retailing  them,  or  that  I  had  the  most 
distant  idea  of  any  of  the  troops  purchasing  them,  is 
not  true.  His  inducement  to  buy,  he  told  me,  was  to 
supply  the  country  people  who  would  attend  the  trea- 
ty. The  troops  at  that  time  had  no  money,  and  no 
immediate  probability  of  any  being  paid  them.  It  is 
well  knoAvn  that  tlieir  pay  was  eight  months  in  arrear 
before  they  received  it  for  the  months  of  November 
and  December,  1795?  and  that  no  order  for  muster 
for  those  months  was  given  until  the  tenth  of  June  of 
the  current  year. . 

This  circumstance,  in  addition  to  the  wretched 
quality  of  the  rice,  substituted  for  bread,  rendered 
the  situation  of  the  troops  extremely  disagreeable.  I 
^ave  my  company  a  permit  to  trade  with  Mr.  Hamp- 
xon.  Their  necessities  produced  this.  Their  dis- 
tresses gave  them  a  plea  to  that  indulgence.  Hu- 
manity acknowledged  the  claim  they  had  upon  my 
duty  to  comply  with  their  repeated  solicitations. 
This  I  did  under  such  restrictions  as  I  have  shown 
the  court.  Sugar  and  molasses  were  articles  they 
most  wanted  to  qualify  their  bad  rice.  They  were 
under  no   obligation  to  take  any  thing  :  but  were  at 


GEN.    EATOST.  Sjt 

liberty  to  take  little  or  more  value  short  of  four  dol- 
lars, or  one  months  pay  ;  and  if  they  purchased  nan- 
keens I  had  no  more  interest  in  it  than  if  they  had 
purchased  amours. 

Was  it  speculation  on  my  men  to  sell  to  a  citizen 
the  nankeens  I  had  no  use  for,  at  a  moderate  profit  ? 
It  is  a  novel  and  hard  case,  if  a  man  because  he 
wears  a  particolored  coat,  may  not  be  allowed,  in  his 
dealings  with  citizens,  the  common  privileges  of  a 
citizen  !  Were  either  of  us  disposed  to  sell  our  riding 
horse,  should  we  feel  ourselves  confined  to  our  bill  of 
sale  for  the  minute  price  to  fix  upon  ?  1  fancy  no^  ! 
The  evidence  produced  to  show  my  copartnersl  ip 
with  Mr.  Hampton  is  so  diametrically  opposite  to 
the  object,  that  I  think  no  comment  need  be  expend- 
ed upon  it. 

I  do  not  believe,  gentlemen,  that  you  will  find  I 
have  "  speculated  on  my  men  in  nankeens  at  sun- 
dry times  ;  and  other  things — " 

I"  am  charged  2dly  of  "  detaining  in  my  hands  the 
bounty  money  due  my  soldiers,  which  I  received  in 
Philadelphia,  and  paying  them  off  in  small  goods 
at  an  advanced  price. '^ 

It  is  an  unpleasant  thing  to  awaken  misfortune,  by 
commenting  on  its  ills — It  is  enough  *that  reflection 
will  sometimes  point  to  it,  in  spite  of  reason  and  phi- 
losophy. I  leave  the  first  article  of  this  charge  to 
such  disquisition,  gentlemen,  as  you  shall  think 
proper  to  make  :  only  observing  that  the  cause  of 
the  second  necessarily  grew  out  of  the  event  which 
produced  the  first  ;  and  hope  that  this  may  be  admit- 
ted as  a  necessary  and  sutfieient  plea  in  justification 
of  the  mode  I  adopted  for  payment  of  the  arrearage 
©f  bounty  to  part  of  the  men  of  my  company. 

The  court  have  seen  the  specific  account  of  the 
articles,  and  on  estimate  of  the  prices  as  I  supposed 
they  were  to  be  charged  to  me,  and  as  they  were  in 
fact  delivered  to  the  men. 

I  believe  you  can  have  no  doubts  but  that  I  receiv- 
ed the  goods  with  an  expectation  of  paying  for  them 


32  LIFE    OF 

agreeably  to  that  estimate.  It  was  a  fortunate  cir- 
ciimstance,  however,  that  long  before  my  bills  were 
presented  for  payment  I  obtained  a  copy  of  the  charg- 
es as  entered  in  the  factor's  ledger.  On  making  a 
further  calculation,  (for  the  entries  were  not  as  I  ex- 
pected,) I  found  a  balance  of  twenty  one  cents  and  a 
fraction  of  a  cent  due  the  men,  who  had  taken  the  ar- 
ticles mentioned  in  the  bill  produced  to  the  court. 
I  did  immediately  inform  the  men  of  this  balance, 
and  said  it  should  be  paid.  On  procuring  their  cap 
trimmings,  some  of  them  were  informed  that  the  a- 
rajunt  of  the  balance  of  the  bounty  should  go  in  off- 
se  to  tliis  charge,  so  far  as  it  would  cover  it :  but  no 
se  tlement  has  been  made  with  the  company  on  this 
account.  A  considerable  number  of  the  men  were 
paid  cash  which  1  borrowed,  for  the  arrearage  of 
their  bounty.  These  had  no  balance  due.  I  in- 
formed them  that  I  had  expectations  of  money  being 
allowed  for  straw  due  them  and  that  their  trimmings 
should  be  deducted  from  this  sum,  if  it  should  be  al- 
lowed. Here  it  should  be  observed  that  the  sum  m  as^ 
estimated  at  the  price  stated  in  the  bill,  because  it 
was  to  be  returned.  I  think  it  appears  from  the  tes- 
timony of  sundry  witnesses,  that  the  same  liquor, 
which  stands  charged  to  me  in  the  entries,  at  one 
dollar  and  thirty  four  cents,  was  afterwards  retailed 
to  the  soldiers  of  this  garrison,  for  two  dollars  per 
gallon.  Whether  this  is  a  speculation  upon  the  sol  - 
diery  of  which  the  United  States,  or  their  factor,  reap 
the  benefit,  or  whether  the  accounts  of  the  factory  are 
rendered  from  the  entries  or  from  the  actual  sales,  are 
questions  which  may  form  matter  for  future  enquiry. 
The  while  thread  has  not  been  brought  into  tlie  ac- 
count, not  being  charged  in  tlie  factor's  boolc,  al- 
thougli  it  appears  from  the  testimony  of  the  men  that 
they  did  receive  it. 

This  mode  of  payment  was  the  best,  and  indeed 
the  only  one  I  could  hit  upon.  The  men  were 
volunteers  in  accepting  it,  and,  I  believe,  were  per- 
fectly (Batisfied  before  I  reported  a  balance.     Many 


GEN.    EATON.  33 

of  them  have  been  before  the  courts  caiid  all  acknowl- 
edge their  entire  satisfaction,  except  Mr.  Mickin, 
who  imagines  he  did  not  receive  his  full  quantity  of 
some  of  the  sargeants.  He  may  have  forgotten  :  he 
is  capable  of  it. 

Had  I  not  paid  the  bounty  I  should  undoubtedly 
have  been  involved  ;  perhaps  not  more  seriously 
than  I  am  from  the  steps  I  have  taken  to  avoid  it. 
If  my  object  had  been  speculation,  or  profit,  is  it 
probable  I  would  have  informed  my  men  of  a  bal- 
ance when  I  knew  them  satisfied,  and  had  no  reason 
to  expect  that  an  enquiry  would  ever  be  had  in  the 
premises  ?  Instead  of  profit  I  have  submitted  to  a 
loss  of  twelve  dollars  from  the  deficiencies  of  the  con- 
tents of  the  cash  which  I  borrowed.  Of  this  I  be- 
lieve the  court  v/ill  be  satisfied,  and,  after  mature  de- 
liberation on  the  evidence  adduced  in  this  charge, 
will  find  my  conduct  justifiable. 

I  am  charged  3dly,  of  "  Selling  public  corn  ; 
and  allowing  the  public  horses  only  two  quarts  per 
day." 

The  necessity  of  procuring  this  substitute  for 
bread,  the  manner  of  its  being  brought  to  the  garri- 
son,  on  the  backs  of  the  men,  in  rainy  weather,  and 
the  condition  it  was  in,  when  stored,  have  been 
clearly  shewed  to  the  court.  That  it  was  in  a  per- 
ishable condition  when  I  proposed  to  the  Command- 
ant this  method  of  saving  the  property,  is  likewise 
demonstrated.  Had  I  silently  suffered  it  to  spoil, 
and  it  had  been  concluded  the  propei'ty  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  I  should  have  been  subject  to  arrest  and 
trial  in  the  fifth  article  of  the  twelfth  section  of  the 
rules  and  articles  of  war.  This  dilemma  put  me. 
on  projects  to  secure  it.  Shifting  and  sunning  had 
little  effect,  and  the  probability  was,  that  it  would 
spoil  on  my  hands.  I  therefore  concluded  that  it 
would  be  prudence  to  dispose  of  as  much  of  it  as 
possible  to  the  citizens  in  this  vicinity,  who  were 
much  distressed  for  bread.  By  the  concession  I 
made  to   the  court  of  having  sold  public  corn,  ii 

5 


€J4  LIFK    OF 

should  net  be  understood  knowing  it  to  be  the  prop- 
erty of  the  United  States,  nor  without  authority  5 
thus  I  explained  myself  to  the  court  the  next  day, 
I  was  at  loss  wliether  to  consider  myself  accounta- 
ble to  tlie  United  States,  or  to  an  individual  State,  or 
whether  in  my  official  or  private  capacity.  Thus  I 
frequently  expressed  my  doubts  to  gentlemen  ;  and 
until  the  testimony  of  Capt.  Randolph  was  heard, 
which  produced  certain  papers  from  the  late  con- 
tractor's agent,  William  Johnson,  I  was  induced  to 
believe  the  corn  the  property  of  the  State  of  Georgia. 
This,  however,  I  knovr  did  not  exonerate  me  from 
accountability,  but  embarrassed  me  in  the  mode  of 
settlement ;  leaving  me  altogether  uninformed  Avheth- 
er  to  charge  or  credit  the  United  States.  Had  my 
views  he&n  fraudulent  or  speculative,  is  it  probable  I 
would  have  consulted  the  Lieut.  Col.  Commandant 
on  the  subject  ?  Or  that  I  Avould  have  transacted  the 
business  through  an  acting  quartermaster  in  an  open 
and  conspicuous  manner  ?  And  had  the  Lieut, 
Col.  Commandant  not  thought  the  measure  eco- 
nomical, is  it  probable  he  would  have  sanctioned  it  by 
his  approbation  ?  Had  my  motive  been  individual 
interest,  is  it  probable  I  could  have  borrowed  corn 
on  my  own  credit  to  replace  the  damaged  corn  dispos- 
ed of,  and  to  furnish  the  horses,  entitled  to  forage^ 
with  corn  of  a  better  quality  ? 

Only  twenty  iive  bushels  were  reported  to  me  sold, 
until  the  commencement  of  this  trial.  For  twen- 
ty one  bushels  of  this  I  received  two  beeves,  a  cow 
and  a  two  year  old.  These  were  sold  to  the  con- 
tractor and  issued  to  the  troops.  They  neated  tM  en- 
ty  three  or  four  dollars.  This  sum  I  received  to  pay 
for  or  replace  tlie  corn  sold.  For  four  bushels  sold 
before  the  corn  became  materially  damaged,  I  re- 
ceived six  dollars  :  amounting  in  all  to  about  thirty 
dollars.  I  have  paid  for  nineteen  bushels  of  corn 
borrowed  at  1).  1  25  cents.  Sixteen  bushels  of  this 
liave  been  issued  to  the  public  horses,  and  three  to 
^he  paymaster's.     On  settling  with  Doctor  Gillasspy 


GEN.    EATON.  ^  SS 

and  the  paymaster  for  a  month's  forage,  six  bushels 
appeared  due  them  ;  this  deficiency  I  paid  up  at  the 
same  price.  My  account  of  profit  on  the  sale  of 
corn  stands  thus — 25  bush,  sold  Bol.  30 

S5  do.  replaced  31    25 

The  sales  for  which  Ensign  Thompson  is  account- 
able are  six  bushels  ;  and  for  this  he  will  account  on 
demand.  The  residue  of  the  hundred  bushels  has 
been  issued,  some  part  to  the  troops,  the  rest  to  pub- 
lic horses. 

I  have  always  been  solicitous  to  be  instructed  in  a 
proper  mode  of  settlement,  and  on  all  occasions  liave 
spoken  openly  on  the  facts.  My  conduct  was  au- 
thorized by  proper  authority  :  and  why  this  article 
should  appear  as  a  charge  can  only  l)e  solved  into 
the  forge tfulness  of  infirm  old  age.  That  I  ever 
limited  the  public  horses  to  any  quantity  short  of  four 
quarts  is  not  true.  I  believe  the  court  will  justify 
my  conduct  in  this  aifair. 

I  am  charged  4thly,  with  "Disobedience  of  or., 
ders." 

This  alludes  to  the  order  of  the  Commandant  of 
24th  of  May  last,  relative  to  the  exchange  of  cer- 
tain men.  I  did  not  at  that  time  charge  myself  with 
the  police  of  the  company  ;  but  did,  however,  con- 
sult and  advise  with  the  commanding  officer  on  the 
construction  to  be  applied  to  the  order,  and  conclud- 
ed that  the  word  exchange  could  not  extend  to  the 
men  who  joined  me  by  transfer.  To  this  conclusion 
I  was  persuaded  by  an  observation  of  the  Command- 
ant that  he  meant  the  men  who  came  out  Avith  me 
from  Philadelphia,  should  remain  in  my  company, 
and  his  general  direction  that  Captain  Tinsley's  com- 
pany and  mine  should  be  kept  full.  TMs  construc- 
tion was  ailso  supported  by  the  order  of  the  tenth  of 
June  relative  to  the  master  of  the  troops. 

Had  we  construed  the  order  more  extensively,  and 
returned  the  men  who  had  been  transferred,  should 
not  I  have  been  subject  to  arrest  for  liaving  exceeded 
tJhe  literal  construction  of  the  order  ? 


36  LIFE    OF 

A  particular  object  ill  the  order  did  not  appear  to 
me  to  be  matter  of  inquiry.  If  there  were  a  particu- 
lar objectj  as  lias  been  insinuated,  and  my  con- 
struction did  not  embrace  that  object,  how  easily 
might  an  explanation  been  given  by  another 
order  or  otherwise  !  Sure  I  am,  the  necessary  cor- 
rection would  have  been  made  ;  for  the  execution  of 
the  order  was  left  to  a  gentleman  Avhose  promptitude 
in  duty  has  never  been  questioned.  Mr.  M'Call 
lias  informed  the  court  that  the  order  was  obeyed  on 
its  literal  construction.  I  declare  I  never  heard 
any  uneasiness  on  the  subject  until  it  discovered  Itself 
in  t're  shape  before  you. 

If  the  court  should  find  any  other  construction  in 
the  term  exchanged  than  what  we  applied,  I  hope 
they  will  nevertheless  do  me  the  justice  to  believe 
that  the  one  given  was  such  as  my  own  undersand- 
ing  suggested,  and  tjiis  by  the  consultation  of  the  of- 
licers  of  my  company  ;  and  will  acquit  me. 

I  am  ciuiiTj'^!  .stilly,  of  "  Liberating  from  confine- 
ment Corporal  Billings,  who  was  charged  by  a  jury 
of  inquest  v,'i(;h  having  been  the  death  of  Joshua 
Haverlones,  a  private  in  Captain  Dickinson's  compa- 
Tij,  from  ihe  vioience'of  the  blows  he  had  inflict- 
ed on  him  ;  and  tearing  to  pieces  the  charge  in  a 
disrespectful  contemptuous  manner. 

Corporal  Billings  has  not  been  a  moment  released 
from  confinement  since  the  evening  on  which  the 
cause  originated.  He  remained  confined  on  a  charge 
given  by  a  commissioned  officer,  until  the  mittimus 
of  the  civil  magistrate  was  put  into  my  hands,  and 
his  permission  obtained  for  the  removal  of  the  pris- 
oner. Thus  stands  the  evidence.  In  justifkation 
of  the  removal,  I  have  produced  to  the  court  the  tes- 
timony of  the  magistrate,  as  also  his  written  certifi- 
cate, in  demonstration  of  the  orders  he  gave  me. 
The  causes  of  the  removal  were  these.  The  alarm 
which  possessed  the  prisoner,  in  consequence  of  the 
mode  of  his  confinement  and  the  imprudent  observa- 
tions which  obtained,  that  he  would  undoubtedly  be 


GEN.    EATON.  37 

convicted  of  murder^  it  was  feared  would  have  a  ten- 
dency to  alarm  bim  into  desertion. 

I  believed  no  alacrity  of  the  guards  would  secure 
binij  provided  be  sliouUl  resolve  on  an  escape. 
Frequent  escapes  bad  liappened  before,  and  one 
since.  My  fears  were  not  less  founded  on  tbose  cir- 
cumstances than  tbe  known  persevering  disposition 
of  the  prisoner.  I  supposed  tbat  some  sort  of  assur- 
ance that  his  crime  could  not  be  found  capital,  would 
mitigate  bis  alarm,  and  tbat  moving  bim  into  my 
kitchen,  under  tbe  care  of  two  sentinels,  where  was 
his  wife  and  infant  child  would  be  an  act  not  less  hu- 
mane than  prudent,  as  it  might  reconcile  him  to  bis  con- 
finement, and  secure  bim  to  justice.  The  place  of  bis 
confinement  was  equally  if  not  more  secure  in  its 
rear  than  tbe  guard  bouse  ;  and  I  believed  two  sen- 
tries a  sufficient  guard.  Had  I  taken  tiiese  steps  at 
my  own  discretion,  my  conduct  would  have  been 
justifiable  by  law.  Billings  w  as  not  tlie  prisoner  of 
the  United  States,  but  of  tbe  state  of  Georgia.  This 
appears  from  tbe  mittimus.  Notwithstanding  be 
was  at  first  confined  by  the  charge  of  a  military  olficei:, 
tbe  mittimus  of  tbe  civil  magistrate  superceded  that 
charge.  The  prisoner  being  then  committed  to  me, 
as  commanding  oificer  of  the  garrison,  s'hould  be  con- 
fined at  my  discretion.  Had  my  exertions  to  secure 
liim  proved  remissly  inefifectual,  then  should  1  have 
been  amenable  to  civil  law.  These  are  my  ideas  on 
this  subject,  and  they  are  founded  in  law.  But  I  have 
shown  to  the  court  that  I  have  proceeded  in  this  af- 
fair agreeably  to  the  instruction  of  tbe  civil  magis- 
trate who  committed  the  prisoner  ;  and  the  event  has 
proved  that  our  determination  on  tlie  mode  of  con- 
finement was  proper.  The  prisoner  did  not  escape  : 
but  was  transferred  to  tbe  guard  bouse  on  demand. 
Where  then  is  the  injury,  where  the  necessity  of  this 
mighty  clamor  ? 

As  to  matter  of  contempt  in  tearing  to  pieces  the 
original  charge,  mentioned  as  an  article  in  this  charge^ 
I  do  not  feel  that  it  deserves  a  comment. 


38  LIFE    OF 

I  am  charged  Ctliiy,  of  '^  Unjustly  defrauding  the 
troops  under  my  command  out  of  rations  which  were 
due  them,  and  storing  them  in  the  garrison  store, 
which  have  never  heen  accounted  for  to  the  men." 

I  have  conceded  that  nearly  one  thousand  rations 
of  flour,  an  arrearage  due  the  troops,  were  deposited 
in  the  public  store,  and > held  as  a  check  Upon  a  de- 
mand which  tlie  contractor  had  and  was  determined 
to  prosecute,  for  the  same  quantity  of  damaged  and 
condemned  flour  destroyed  by  the  troops.  This 
concession  appears  from  the  evidence  a  just  state- 
ment of  facts.  A  moment's  explanation  might  have 
satisfied  a  mind  disposed  to  be  satisfied  :  but  this 
transaction  afforded  plausible  matter  of  charge,  and 
it  has  been  improved  !  Exertions  have  been  uiade  to 
substantiate  it  by  introducing  a  species  of  evidence 
unprecedented,  singular  and  mysterious.  A  note, 
something  in  the  form  of  a  duebill,  for  somewhere 
about  two  thousand  rations,  signed  by  a  third 
person,  Avithout  the  knowledge  of  myself,  has,  by 
the  informer,  been  introduced  to  this  court  as  a  bul- 
work  of  proof  against  which  it  Avas  expected  even 
truth  itself  could  not  prevail  !  This  note  smells  rank 
of  assassination  !  How  was  it  obtained  ?  Clandes- 
tinely, and  by  finesse  !  Of  whom  ?  Not  of  me  ;  but 
of  an  unsuspecting  serjeant  !  For  what  use  ?  Not  to 
recover  a  real  due  for  the  soldier  ;  but  to  create  an 
imaginary  one  to  criminate  an  oflicer  !  Was  it  ever 
presented  me  ?  No  ;  not  till  the  confidential  person 
with  whom  it  was  deposited,  was  struck  with  con- 
viction of  the  perfidy  of  its  object  !  Hov/  then  was  it 
presented  ?  Secretly  ;  and  with  a  proposition  that  I 
would  contaminate  my  fingers  by  destroying  it  ! 
Was  this  an  artful  attempt  upon  the  impetuosity 
which  it  would  naturally  excite  in  my  mind  ;  or  an 
individual  wish  that  the  advantages  contemplated  to 
be  acquired  by  the  note  might  be  defeated  ?  This  re- 
mains to  me  an  enigma  !  But  the  note  v/as  destroyed  ! 
By  whom  ?  Not  by  me  ;  but  by  the  person  who  ob- 
taiaed  it,  and  contrary  to  my  direction !    Another 


GEN.    EATON.  39 

note  in  all  things  like  unto  the  first  has  appeared  be- 
fore this  court  !  What  has  it  produced  in  evidence  ? 
Art  and  subtlety  in  its  projects  ;  stupidity  in  its  au- 
thor ;  and  in  its  countenance  the  deepest  hue  of  in- 
iquity !  These  are  strictures  which  naturally  arise  out 
of  this  subject.  But  notwithstanding  this  formidable; 
appearance  ;  this  monster  of  illegitimate  conception ; 
simple  facts  have  demonstrated  that  my  concession 
went  to  the  extent  of  every  thing  which  existed  rela- 
tive to  this  charge  ;  and  further,  that  my  conduct  has 
not  been  fraudulent,  but  equitable. 

The  condemned  flour  was  used  by  the  troops  in- 
discriminately at  the  time  the  rations  of  flour  in  quest- 
ion were  becoming  due.  This  was  done  by  my  ad- 
vice :  but  I  could  not  suppose  any  credit  was  due  the 
contractor  for  such  sort  of  provision.  On  his  arrival, 
however,  he  made  demand  of  payment  for  the  con- 
demned flour  thus  made  use  of  by  my  direction  ;  in- 
sisting that  condemning  it  did  not  transfer  to  me  a 
right  of  destroying  it,  nor  of  suffering  it  to  1 3  destroy- 
ed ;  and  declaring  that  he  would  recover  it  of  me, 
either  by  abstract,  or  by  an  action  of  trespass.  The 
former  I  refused  and  he  determined  on  the  latter.  I 
had  doubts  in  my  own  mind  whether  he  could  recover 
against  me.  The  troops  were  at  that  time  well  sup- 
plied  ;  and  I  concluded  that  to  retain  the  flour  in 
public  store,  which  had  become  due  the  troops  dur- 
ing the  time  of  their  using  the  condemned  flour,  till 
the  question  at  issue  should  be  determined,  or  till  the 
contractor  should  relinquish  his  idea  of  bringing  his 
action,  would  be  just  and  proper  ;  and  that  then  the 
issues  should  be  made  without  respect  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  condemned  flour. 

These  facts  have  been  unequivocally  ascertained. 
Does  this  look  like  fraud  ?  Does  it  not  favor  more 
the  complexion  of  uprightness  ?  If  the  contractor  has 
sustained  a  loss  for  which  damages  are  recoverable 
by  law,  who  should  be  amenable  for  those  damages 
but  the  persons  who  committed  the  waste,  and  had 
the  benefit  of  it  ?  Had  I  appropriated  the  fl.our  thus 


W  LIFE   OF 

retained  and  stored^  to  my  own  use,  or  any  part  of  H^ 
then  might  this  charge  be  supported  :  But  if  from 
the  moment  of  its  having  been  stored  it  has  remained 
as  disputed  property,  how  evident  must  it  be  to  ev- 
ery unbiassed  mind  that  the  question  of  right  alone 
held  me  in  suspense  respecting  its  issues  ?  If  I  had 
issued  it  till  this  question  was  determined,  how  clear- 
ly w  ould  an  action  and  a  charge  lie  against  me  for 
trespassing  on  the  property  of  the  contractor  and 
where  would  have  been  my  remedy  ?  Thus,  act  as  I 
v/ould,  on  either  side  was  I  liable  to  embarrassment 
by  arrest  both  civil  and  military  ;  and  undoubtedly 
the  patriotic  zeal  of  the  day  would  not  have  passed 
the  opportunity. 

But  were  this  transaction  viewed  in  its  worst  light, 
still  fraud  cannot  be  made  out  of  it.  The  term  im- 
plies a  deceitfully  obtaining,  and  wrongfully  apply- 
ing to  ones  own  use,  goods  which  are  the  property  of 
another.  Has  here  been  any  deceit  ?  Has  here 
been  any  wrongful  application.  On  the  contrary, 
has  not  the  business  been  openly  conducted  ?  Have 
not  I  always  declared  facts  as  they  now  appear  on 
your  proceedings  ?  And  has  not  the  property  been 
as  carefully  preserved  as  possible.  It  must  be  a 
strange  perversion  or  rather  distortion  of  terms  to 
stamp  the  epithet  either  of  injustice  or  fraud  upon 
the  transaction  out  of  which  this  charge  has  arisen. 
I  am  confident  the  court  will  be  convinced  of  this, 
and  that  however  plausible  the  pretence  for  this 
charge  may  be,  I  am  not  iii  fact  chargeable  with  the 
most  distant  intention,  in  this  transaction,  of  wrong- 
ing an  individual,  nor  the  public,  but  on  the  contra- 
ry, so  far  as  possible,  disposed  to  do  justice  to  both. 

Having  gone  through  with  my  observations  on  the 
proceedings,  I  beg  the  court  will  indulge  me  in  a 
few  remarks,  which  naturally  arise  from  the  pros- 
ecution, and  the  circumstances  which  may  have  pro- 
duced it. 

What  influence  upon  superior  rank  the  circum- 
stance of  my   having   a  particular  destination  from 


GEN.    EATON.  4?i 

the  Secretary  of  War  may  have,  I  leave  to  the  determ- 
ination of  the  more  particular  acquaintances  of  the 
disposition  of  a  man  in  an  elevated  station.  If  this 
circumstance  lias  had  influence,  other  circumstances 
have  afforded  auxiliaries  to  the  measures  which  were 
influenced  hy  this. 

On  my  arrival  at  St.  Mary's,  among  the  troops  of 
Virginia,  I  found  many  sick  :  these  had  no  medical 
assistance.  On  board  of  our  brig  sailed  the  Sur- 
geon's mate.  He  recommended  to  take  these  sick 
on  board  of  us.  I  accordingly  ordered  them  on 
board.  This  obliged  my  uoneommissioned  officers 
to  resign  their  births  between  decks  to  the  sick. 
The  evening  of  the  first  of  January  commenced  an 
incessant  rain.  At  ten  at  night  I  went  on  deck  and 
saw  my  noncommissioned  officers  rolled  in  their 
blankets  and  drenched  in  rain.  By  consent  of  the 
sailing  master  I  ordered  them  into  the  cabin  to  take 
births'  upon  boxes,  chests  and  a  table.  Human- 
ity dictated  this  step.  The  day  and  night  following 
the  storm  continued.  I  again  took  them  into  the, 
cabin.  This  gave  umbrage  to  the  factor  of  the  In- 
dian trade,  J^Ir.  Price,  who  had  all  the  passage 
occupied  a  stateroom,  and  had  slept  on  there  the  pre- 
ceding evening.  About  daybreak,  the  next  morn- 
ing, moving  out  of  his  stateroom  and  addressing  his 
assistant  and  a  blacksmith,  who  occupied  births  in  the 
cabin,  he  made  some  unmannerly  and  iilnatured  stric- 
tures upon  this  arrangement  of  mine  ;  supposing  I 
was  asleep.  1  undeceived  him  ;  and  attempted  to  ar- 
gue him  into  conciliation,  pleading  tlie  humanity  of 
the  measure,  and  observing  that  if  any  gentlemen 
had  reason  to  complain,  they  were  Capt.  Nicoll  and 
Doct.  Grillasspy,  who  slept  in  the  cabin,  and  not 
himself,  who  Avas  not  incommoded  in  his  lodgings  ; 
that  the  noncommissioned  officers  were  down  after 
he  was  in  bed,  and  out  before  he  was  up  ;  and  hop- 
ed  thai  the  sight  of  a  soldier's  blanket  did  not  clfepd 
him. 

6 


^B  LIFE    OF 


He  offended  me  !  I  resented  it.  Exxjlaiiatioii  wr^ 
liad  and  the  aifair  Ijuried,  as  I  supposed,  in  oblivion  : 
but  from  that  moment  I  have  experienced  from  that 
quarter  a  persecution  of  resentment  which,  and  in 
manner  which,  a  man  of  a  liberal  mind  and  open 
countenance  would  be  ashamed  of..  These  charges 
of  my  arrests  were  fancied  in  his  counting  room,  in 
his  own  hand  writing,  as  they  were  accidentally 
discovered  and  reported  to  me  the  morning  after  the- 
secret  dispatches-  went  oiF  with  them.  I  believe  I 
may  charge  that  lago  of  Othello  as  the  proliiic  nurse  of 
all  the  mischief  which  has  been  designed  against  me. 

At  St.  Mary's,  Captain  Tinsley,  or  Ensign  AUin- 
son,  shewed  me  an  appointment  of  Adjutant  which 
the  Captain  had  made  tlie  Ensign,  which  I  think  I 
said  should  be  respected  so  far  as  my  influence  would 
ebtain  ;  observing  at  the  same  time  that  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  regimental  staff  did  not  rest  with  platoon 
officers.     The  order  of  the  secretary  of  war  required 
that  the  eldest  subaltern  should  be  left  at  St.  Mary's. 
Rank  determined  this  command  to  Ensign  Allinson. 
Soon  after  my  arrival  here  I  ordered  a  junior  Ensign, 
to  do  the  temporary  duty  of  Adjutant.     When  Col- 
onel Gaither  arrived,   I  submitted  to  him  every  ar- 
rangement I  had  made  or  contemplated  :  and  at  the 
same  time  mentioned  the  appointment  first  alluded  to,, 
and   recommended  the  sul)altern  last  alluded  to  for 
the   appointment  of  quartermaster.     But  I  received^ 
for  answer,  that  "  no  appointments  would  be  made  to^ 
those  offices."     And  the  first  order  for  muster,   10th 
June,   coincided  with   that   answer.      Consequently 
things  remained  as  they  were.     But  Ensign  Allinson 
app&ared  dissatisfied,    and  continued  so.     How  far 
this  disappointment  might  have  influenced  the  feelings 
of  this  informer  may  be   conjecturcd.     From  these 
and  other  causes  which  may  be   traced  I  liave   long 
since  discovered  a  disposition  in  this  tripple  alliance 
to  embarrp.ss  me.     And  from  the  proceedings  before 
you,  gentlemen,  you  will  be  able  to  discover  whethei- 
my  suspicions  h^ave  been  well  or  ill  founded,  wheth- 


GE-N'.    EATON.  4g 

«r  this  prosecution  has  for  its  basis  truth  or  spleen, 
and  whether  it  was  born  of  patriotism  or  a  less  hon- 
orable parent. 

With  what  face  can  my  prosecutor  accuse  me  of  a 
paltry  half  cent  speculation,  who,  on  my  arrival  mto 
this  state  would  readily  have  taken  from  me  thirty 
five  thousand  dollars  for  lands,  the  titles  of  Avhieh  he 
knew  were  in  dispute,  and  believed  invalid  ;  having 
been  obtained  by  fraud  and  corruption  ?  Had  I  at 
that  moment  closed  a  bargain,  and  obtained  credit  for 
a  moiety  of  that  sum,  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  I 
«lioald  at  this  moment  be  caressed.  But  unfortu- 
nately for  my  peace,  I  ridiculed  the  dream  of  the 
speculation,  and  reprobated  tiie  Yazoo  grants.  Here 
•sprung  up  a  new  source  of  resentment  :  and  this  was 
irritated  by  my  remonstrating  on  the  impropriety  of 
being  obliged  to  govern  myself  by  verbal  orders, 
which  I  found  were  as  conveniently  forgotten  as 
given,  To  this  remonstrance  I  was  lead  by  a  convic- 
tion of  the  treachery  of  human  memory  :  but  this 
was  treason.  If  I  consulted  with  gentlemen  on  the 
embarrassment  of  this  mode  of  discipline,  it  was 
scandalum  inagnatiim.  For  obedience  of  verbal  or 
ders,  twice  have  I  been  indirectly  reprimanded  :  and 
once  for  the  same  crime,  an  article  is  added  in. 
the  charges  of  my  arrest — (Witness  the.  third  charge.) 
I  have  long  since  discovered  how  persuaded  this  man, 
high  in  rank,  has  been  that  my  reputation  and  future 
happiness  should  be  sacrificed  on  the  altar  of  partial- 
ity. 

Because  I  have  not  v/inked  as  he  winked,  and  smil- 
ed when  he  smiled,  acquiesced  in  the  slander  which 
most  men  suffer  from  his  splenetic  disposition,  and 
stooped  like  a  slave  when  he  condescended  to  lash 
me,  he  has  been  convinced  that  this  sacrifice,  s© 
trifling  to  a  man  of  my  rank,  was  a  necessary  one  to 
Ms  humor.  Can  I  be  silent  on  this  subject?  Can 
the  respect  I  feel  for  the  presence  of  this  court, 
€hall  a  tame  submission  to  the  caprice  of  w^eakness 
and  despotism,  confine  my  injuries  to  the  obsequious 
remedy  of  supplication  !  "  I  have  not  .slavish   tem= 


44  LIFE    OF 

peraiice  enough  to  attend  a  favorite's  heels  and  catch 
Lis  smiles  ;  bear  an  ill  office  done  me  to  my  face, 
and  thank  the  lord,  who  wrongs  me,  for  his  favor." 

I  reverence  virtue,  and  respectability  ;  but  that 
accidental  consequence  which  blind  fortune  attaches 
to  the  opposite  of  these  qualities,  obtains  nothing  of 
me  but  what  rank  will  not  be  refused. 

The  perverted  construction  which  has  been  put  on 
all  my  measures,  and  repeated  inattention  to  my  re- 
peated request  of  a  more  humane,  yet  as  proper 
mode  of  investigating  the  facts,  prove  the  vindictive 
temper  of  this  prosecution,  and  a  prepence  intention 
to  assassinate  my  reputation. 

How  often  has  tlie  j^round  been  shifted,  and  new^ 
positions  taken  since  the  siege  has  been  laid  against 
my  character  !  How  silently  have  parallels  been 
drawn  and  evacuated  !  Spies  have  been  sent  into 
my  company,  and  even  into  my  family,  to  discover, 
if  possible  a  vulnerable  part !  Citizens  have  been 
called  from  their  beds,  at  the  dead  hour  of  night,  to 
ascertain  facts,  whicii  were  transacted  in  the  center 
of  the  area  of  the  fort,  by  consultation  of  the  officers 
of  the  garrison,  and  order  of  my  prosecutor  !  And  I 
am  not  yet  satisfied  that  an  instrument  has  not  been 
employed  to  sap  my  firmness  by  an  artful  attempt  up- 
on the  excitability  of  my  temper — (Witness  the  pre- 
sentment of  the  note  before  mentioned.)  Yet,  instead 
of  a  choice  of  crimes,  as  the  boast  has  gone  out, 
what  deliberate  anxiety  has  been  discovered  to  get 
hold  of  any  thing  which  could  be  distorted  into  a 
misprison  of  criminality.  Even  my  misfortunes 
have  been  called  up  and  passed  in  revicAv  Avith  a 
motive,  not  of  commiseration,  but  to  spy  out  of  them 
some  ambiguity,  which  could  be  metamorphosed  into 
crimes.  If  t!ie  salvation  of  a  country  depended  on 
my  fall  thei^e  might  be  found  an  apology  for  this  sin- 
gular prosecution,  but  if  private  animosity  is  only  to 
be  gratified,  the  means  which  have  been  used,  and 
perseverance  observed  should  take  another  name 
than  :hat  of  merit. 


»EN.    EATON.  45 

Wild  must  have  been  the  infatuation   of  the  mind 
to  have  prevailed  on  itself  to  endeavor  to  distil  spec- 
ulation out  of  measures  which  the  man  himself  had 
recommended,   and  fraud  from   an  economy  which 
was  due  to  the  public  and  to  justice.     Who   cannot 
discover,  even  with  but  one  eye,   that  other  motives 
than  public  measures  must  have   actuated  this  pro- 
ceeding !  And  who  does  not  blush  at  the  ridiculous 
veil  of  hypocrisy  under  which  this  malevolence  is 
masked  !  It  is  envy  in  the  shape  of  conscience  !  It  is 
however  jJossiftZe  that  misrepresentation  has  done  all 
this.     Whatever  may  have  been  the  moving  cause,  I 
feel  that  I  have  suffered.     All  the  poison  of  my  life 
magnified  by  a  jealous  and  creative  imagination  has 
been  scattered  before  the  winds  to  blast  my  honor. 
Had  my  herald  been  delighted  as   much  with  good 
as  with  evil  extracts,  he  could  here  and  there,  from 
my  memoirs,  have  gathered  a  little  of  the  dews  of 
benevolence  and  humanity  to  perfume  the  bieath  of 
slander  :  but  it  is  the  spider's  peculiar  quality  to  ex- 
tract poison  from  the  same  iiower   from  which  the 
bee  will  gather  honey. 

When  a  man  only  lies  under  the  imputation  of 
malconduct  the  secret  satisfaction  which  man- 
kind feel  in  the  misfortunes  of  their  fellow  men,  in- 
duces a  kind  of  instinctive  credit  to  the  calumny  i 
and  common  fame  is  always  ready  to  give  it  curren- 
cy. With  such  as  are  inclined  to  relish  evil  reports, 
and  such  there  are,  slight  presumption  will  be  ad- 
mitted as  positive  evidence,  and  every  evil  thing  will 
be  believed.  ^^  Tlie  grossest  sophistry  will  pass 
upon  men^s  understandings  w  hen  used  in  support  of 
measures  to  which  they  are  already  inclined.'''  And 
good  men  credit  evil  reports  from  a  consciousness  of 
the  frailty  of  human  nature.  Hence,  when  slander 
once  drops  from  the  invenomed  tongue,  it  more  or 
less  obtains  credit  of  all  men ;  and  the  reluctance 
which  all  men  feel  at  the  imputation  of  guilt,  prompt 
them  to  shun  the  sufferins;  character  through  fear  of 


46  '  LIFE    OF 

feeing  suspected  accomplices  ih  bis  crimes.     Hence 
an  insulted   character  suffers   every  inconvenience 
from  the   secret  whisper  of  malev;dence,   which  it 
can  from  positive  conviction  :  all  the  infamy  which 
attaches  itself  to  crimes  already  consumes  his   hon- 
or ;  and  conviction  can  add  nothing  to  the  sufferings 
of  the  man,  but  the  pain  or  the  disgrace   of  punish- 
ment.    Hence  the  innocent  are  as  liable  to  suffer  as 
the  guilty  ;  and  hence  the  dumb  significance   of  a 
muscle,  has  frequently  the  address  to  blast  a  reputa- 
tion.    When  hatred  combines  with   propensity  to 
distress  a  character,  and  power  is  called  in  to  aid  the 
assault,   it  imbitters  the  venom  of  calumny  with  the 
gall  of  persecution.     This   I  most  solemnly   feel. 
What  but  fortified   invidiousness,  which   could   be 
satiated  only  by  my  ruin,  could  figure  to  itself,  even 
in  imagination,  the  possibility  of  my  having  wronged 
a  soldier  ?  In  all  this  tedious  process,  not  a  single 
soul  has  been  produced  who  has  even  felt  dissatisfied 
with  me  :  nor  who  would  consent  that  the  idea  should 
be  recorded.     Yet  has  it  been  industriously  blazoned 
that  I  have  stooped  to  injure  my  soldiers.     Is  there 
a  soldier  in  existence,  and  has  served  with  me,  Avho 
can  be  made  to  say  this  !  Did  ever  a  sick,  or  an  hun- 
gry, or  a  distressed  soldier  represent  to  me  his  wants 
and  go   away  unrelieved  ?   Not  a  living  soldier  can 
say  this  :  and  the  dead,  if  they  could  declare  for  me, 
would  testify   that  my  disinterested  acts  of  benevo- 
lence  have  always  been  commensurate  M'ith  their 
lives.     Is  there  a  man  in  existence,  and  is  my  ac- 
quaintance, who  can  say  that  a  single  act  of  all  my 
actions  has  been  stamped  with  parsimony  ?  Or  who 
will  not  rather  say  that  the  other  extreme   has  been 
an  error  of  my  life  ?  My   kitcl^en  has   always  been 
an  hospital  and  an  inn  for  the  sick  and  the  distress- 
ed soldier,  and  my   quarters  a  caravansary   for  the 
stranger.     With  the  utmost  truth  I  can  declare,  that 
from  almost  eight  years  service  in  a  military  capaci- 
ty, nearly  five  of  which  I  have  received  the  pay  and 


GtEN.    EATON.  '4/ 

emolument  of  Captain,  with  the  additional  emolu- 
ment some  part  of  the  time  of  Brigade  Major,  I  hav& 
not  saved  a  single  guinea.  Yet  have  I  not  lived 
profusely,  nor  indulged  intemperance. 

Then  it  cannot  be  from  an  overgrown  fortune  that 
I  am  charged  with  speculation  and  fraud  !  not  from 
extravagance  of  living  ;  and  not  from  the  complaints- 
of  injured  individuals  !  What  then  can  it  be  from  ? 
An  invidious  wish  that  it  were  so  !  For  the  justice  of 
this  conclusion,  gentlemen,  I  refer  you  to  the  pro-- 
eeedings  before  you. 

The  bias  which  uncontradicted  report  must  have 
given  this  court  at  the  commencement  of  the  trials 
would  have  alarmed  me,  were  I  not  persuaded  that 
with  every  member  which  compose  it,  prepossession 
would  give  place  to  facts.  It  is  the  province  of  truth,^ 
when  drawn  fj*om  her  recess,  to  unmask  deception 
and  falshood,  and  to  compose  to  their  natural  form 
the  features  M^hich  jealousy,  envy,  or  a  spleeny  im- 
agination had  distorted  into  deformity. 

But  gentlemen,  I  am  growing  prolix,  and  you  im- 
patient. I  knf»v  you  will  recollect  that  you  sit  here 
to  determine  in  law  and  equity,  between  the  United 
States  and  myself,  on  charges  in  the  decision  of  which 
my  reputation,  my  future  happiness,  and  that  of  my 
family  cannot  but  be  involved.  I  feel  that  if  the 
most  imbittered  construction  should  be  applied  tt> 
my  conduct  as  shewn  to  you  from  the  evidence,  it 
would  require  the  eye  of  casuistry  to  extract  crim 
inality  from  it. 

I  trust  aud  firmly  believe  that  your  decision  will  be 
unbiassed  and  impartial  :  that  compliment  to  indi- 
vidual  opinion,  cliaracter  or  caprice,  will  have  no  in- 
fluence in  your  deliberation  :  and  that  from  the  test 
of  truth,  you  will  be  able  to  determine  that  econo- 
my tind  not  speculation  ^  that  humanity  Mid  not  con- 
tempt of  law  nor  etiquette,  and  t\\3it  justice  and  not 
fraud,  have  dictated  that  conduct  which  has  bee© 
stamped  with  the  impression  of  criminality. 


48  LIFE   OF 

With  confidence  I  rest  my  cause  in  the   integrity 
of  this  court. 

WM.  EATON,  Captain  oflvfantry. 

On  the  seventh  instant  the  proceedings  of  the 
eourt  were  forwarded  to  the  Commandant  at  St.  Ma- 
ry's. I  was  there  on  the  trial  of  Billings,  and  was 
informed  by  a  gentleman  of  the  bar,  that  the  Com- 
mandant disgusted  with  the  decision,  had  determin- 
ed to  forward  the  proceedings  to  his  excellency,  the 
President,  without  acting  upon  them.  In  corobora- 
tion  of  this  information,  this  day  Major  Freema|i 
received  an  order  for  the  dissolution  of  the  court, 
but  nothing  of  the  decision.  For  this  piece  of  acci- 
dental justice  I  would  thank  him,  had  he  not  in  do- 
ing it  laid  a  necessity  of  prolonging  my  confinement 
within  the  walls  of  a  fort.  I  did  not  believe  he 
would  dare  show  those  proceedings  where  he  ever 
wished  to  show  his  face.  Every  thing  is  studiously 
arranged  with  design  to  counteract  my  felicity.  It  is 
Mi  vain  to  plead  that  duty  or  public  good  requires 
this  treatment.  The  former  requires  not  the  aid  of 
falshood  in  its  execution,  and  the  latter  seldom  ac- 
knowledges itself  in  debt  to  meanness  and  oppression. 
But  I  am  not  the  only  officer  who  suffers  under  this 
lash  of  tyranny.  His  humor  is  the  standard  by 
which  his  esteem  or  hatred  is  measured  :  and  his 
power  deals  out  to  the  favorites  the  natural  partiali- 
ties. Nor  does  he  seem  satisfied  to  confine  his  influ- 
ence to  individual  character.  I  wish  I  were  not 
compelled  to  believe  that  his  misrepresentation  has 
prevented  that  good  understanding  which  might  oth- 
erwise have  been  restored  to  the  United  States  and 
Georgia.  What  man  in  his  senses  could  imagine 
that  Greneral  Jackson,  who  sailed  on  l)oard  a  sloop 
to  the  treaty,  with  few  more  then  twenty  volunteer 
infantry,  under  the  command  of  a  subaltern,  contem- 
plated to  assume  the  command  at  this  post  ?  Every 
one  who  knows  the  General  must  be  satisfied  that  he 


GEK.    EATOK. 

Kas  better  inToBnied  military  ^eas  than  to  attempt 
this.  Yet  the  Gomraandant  had  the  address,  by  pos- 
itive declaration,  to  impress  the  commissioners  of  the 
United  States  with  this  idea.  The  consequences  have 
been  detailed  in  public  print  :  the  dernier  event  is 
to  be  feared  !  But  a  private  pique  of  long  standing 
was  gratified.  These  things,  though  they  take  the 
prostituted  name  of  federalism,  to  me  appear  vastly 
uncandid.  The  liberties  I  am  taking  may  perhaps 
be  considered  unwarrantable.  Indeed  I  know,  an 
officer  here  must  confine  his  ideas,  like  his  person, 
within  the  stockades  of  his  post,  and  shall  have 
kave  to  think  through  the  organ  of  a  Commandant, 
provided  his  ideas  keep  the  channel  of  his  views.  I 
am  not  made  of  such  stuff  :  and  have  never  yet  been, 
reduced  to  feel  that  the  livery  of  a  soldier  should 
smother  the  light  of  understanding,  or  manacle  the 
pinions  of  reason.  If  these  liberties  then  siiould  be 
construed  into  disrespect,  I  shall  charge  the  misdc= 
meanor  to  maxims  to  which  I  have  always  adhered, 
that  rank  has  no  just  claims  beyond  the  boundary 
lines  of  duty  ;  that  respect  is  a  voluntary  attachment 
to  merit,  and  that  no  consideration  should  prevail  on 
a  man  to  veil  the  face  of  truth  in  obsequiousness  to 
any  man's  humor  or  interest.  If,  still  sore  from  the 
sting  of  envy,  I  have  dipped  my  pen  in  acrimony,  I 
trust  the  abuse  I  have  suffered  will  sufficiently  apol- 
ogise for  me.  If  my  complaint  merits  a  hearing,  re- 
dress will  undoubtedly  naturally  follow.  But  if  my 
persecutors  should  have  the  address  to  blast  me  at 
this  period  of  life,  I  shall  feel  the  sad  reconciliation 
that  I  shall  have  fallen  an  early  martyr  to  the  dic- 
tates of  truth,  duty,  and  humanity. 

It  has  been  confidentially  said  between  the  two 
gentlemen  most  interested  in  my  reports,  and  over.' 
heard  ;  ^^  We  must  get  that  Eaton  out  of  the  way  !'' 
I  truly  stand  almost  alone  ;  but  feel  myself  never^' 
theless  steadfast.  The  recruit,  an  Ensign  Allinson 
who  has  been  employed  as  an  instrument;  t©  effect 

'7 


30'  LIFE    OF 

the  project,  has  generously  been  offered  five  hundred 
acres  of  land  at  this  post  as  a  pledge  of  the  trust  and 
eonfidence  reposed  in  him.  Plans  have  been  well 
concerted,  confidence  and  secresy  have  been  sacredltf 
adhered  to,  and  no  exertions  have  been  wanting  to- 
excite  the  patriotic  project.  But  yet  I  stand,  and 
believe  I  shall,  till  my  enemies  are  confounded,  and 
the  public  shall  blush  at  the  depravity  of  principles 
which  have  moved  my  misfortunes.  I  am  not  in- 
deed tenacious  of  holding  my  commission  on  a  peace 
establishment,  and  should  before  this  have  requested 
to  be  placed  on  the  list  of  derangments  ;  but  to  re- 
tire from  service  at  this  crisis  would  bear  an  unfavor- 
able construction.  My  only  anxiety  is  to  leave  ser- 
vice like  a  soldier.  As  such  I  trust  I  have  served,^ 
and  am  at  all  times  ready  to  serve,  should  my  coun- 
try demand  my  service.  J5ut  let  not  speculation  and 
malice  prevail  to  blast  a  life  and  family  devoted  to 
the  calls  of  duty  and  human  liappiness. 

Sincerely  do  I  beg  pardon  for  this  intnision  :  but, 
my  honored  Sir,  to  whom  else  shall  I  address  my 
aggrievance  ?  If  your  confidence  in  me  has  been  mis- 
placed, it  cannot,  I  think,  but  affect  your  feelings. 
And  if  falshood  and  cruelty  should  have  the  influence 
to  place  it  in  that  light,  the  consequence  w  ill  be  the 
same.  I  am  in  possession  of  some  facts,  interesting 
to  the  public,  which  I  shall  bring  forward  in  the 
proper  channel  vviien  digested,  and  when  my  em- 
barrassments shall  be  removed. '  These  shall  show 
who  are  patrons  of  speculation  on  the  public,  and 
who  are  embarked  on  the  -  bottom  of  truth,  who  of 
misrepresentation. 

I  have  to  request  that  my  command,  which  has 
been  wantonly  and  violently  v*  rested  from  me,  may 
be  restored.  My  honor  is  pledged  that  my  eye  shall 
be  fixed  on  the  public  measures  without  respect  to 
the  feelings  of  individuals.  And  when  facts  are  as- 
certained and  the  veil  removed  from  the  public  eye, 
that  justice  may  be  established,  I  shall  then  ask  l?ave 


GEN.    EATON.  51 

to  retire  from  a  service  iu  which  an  honest  man  can 
acquire  no  other  scars  than  from  the  shafts  of  those 
dark  and  deadly  assassins,  envy  and  selfishness. 


With  'profound  respect,     *, 

/  have  the  honor  to  remain, 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  and  very  hum- 
ble servant, 

William  Eaton,  Capt, 
of  Infantry. 

The  Honorable 

Timothy  Pickering, 

Secretary  for  the  department  of  state, 
Philadelphia. 

For  some  specification  of  one  of  these  charges  Ea- 
ton was  sentenced  to  invo  months  suspension  from 
command.  That  it  was  of  no  very  criminal  nature, 
appears  from  the  following  extracts  of  letters  written 
by  Ensign  Thompson,  one  of  the  court  martial. 

>^  Our  Col.  Commandant,  who  is  an  ignorant,  de- 
bauched, unprincipled  old  batchelor,  appears  willing 
to  sacrifice  the  purest  character  to  gratify  the  spleen 
of  his  soul. 

He  lias  long  since  been  collecting  materials  to  ef- 
fect the  destruction  of  Captain  Dickinson,  a  man 
worthy  of  esteem,  and  who  wears  more  scars  of  pat- 
riotism, acquired  in  the  struggle  for  American  liber- 
ty, than  perhaps  any  other  man  in  the  United  States. 
I  was  a  member  of  the  court  martial  which  tried  Cap- 
tain Dickinson.  At  this  court  the  ColoneFs  want 
of  knowledge,  and  want  of  truth,  made  him  lose  my 
esteem  ;  and  in  my  opinion,  forfeited  his  title  to  it, 
from  every  honest  man. 

His  next  object  was  Capt.  Eaton,  against  whom 
the  Colonel's  jealousy  and  envy  were  awakened, 
Crom  the  circumstance  of  the  Capt's  having  particu- 


6g  L1FK   OF 

lar  command  at    Coleraiii;,   where  tiie  trading  post 
islioiild  be. 

Captain  Eaton's  punctuality  likewise,  in  givjng 
information  of  the  situation  of  this  frontier,  was  an- 
other sourcgi  of  bitterness  ;  as  heretofore,  there  had 
seldom  been  any  reports  of  the  kind,  not  clothed  with 
partiality. 

This,  Col.  Gaither  might  naturally  enough  imag- 
ine, might  amount  to  a  reflection  on  him. 

This  must  have  been  his  idea  :  for  he  commanded 
Capt.  Eaton  to  make  no  rejportSf  although  the  Sec- 
retary of  War  had  given  instruction  that  lie  should. 
From  a  number  of  reasons,  it  was  supposed  by  the 
Col.  and  his  confederates,  that  his  sacrifice  was  nec- 
essary to  their  reputation  :  for  the  party  have  been 
heard  to  say,  ^^  We  must  get  rid  of  this  Eaton.'^ 

Captain  Eaton  was  arrested,  notwithstanding  he 
had  twice  made  a  written  demand  for  a  court  of  en- 
quiry, and  once  verbally.  This  was  his  legal  right, 
and  this  ^\ould  have  saved  much  trouble  ;  as  it 
would  have  convinced  every  unprejudiced  mind,  that 
the  circulation  of  the  reports  had  no  foundation  ;  and 
shown  that  they  were  raised  only  from  a  wish  that 
there  were  cause  of  criminality. 

Enquiry  was  not  to  be  had.  The  court  martial 
consisted  of  five  membeis  ;  one  Major  who  was  his 
inveterate  enemy,  as  he  is  to  every  plain  dealer  ;  two 
Captains,  one  of  whom  was  aspiring  to  his  com- 
mand ;  the  other,  though  in  general  looked  upon  as 
an  honest  man,  yet  knows  nothing  of  law  and  the 
nature  of  evidence,  and  might  perhaps,  be  as  deep  in 
the  party,  as  the  prosecutor.  All  were  inferior  in 
rank  to  Capt.  Eaton,  except  the  President.  En- 
sign M'Call  was  the  only  person  who  appeared  to 
me  unprejudiced.  I  was  a  member  of  the  court  my- 
self ;  and  although  my  oath  restricts  my  mentioning 
the  opinion  of  any  particular  member,  as  to  the  de- 
cision, yet  it  is  not  a  violation  to  say  that  there  was 
the  most  ostensible  partiality ;  and  that  more  anxie- 
ty and  exertion  were  discovered  to   give  propriety, 


GE'N.    EATON.  5^ 

duty,  and  honesty,  -  the  colormgs  of  their  opposites^ 
than  that  truth  should  have  its  iniluence. 

The  trial  was  tedious.  Upwards  of  a  fortnight 
we  were  upon  it  :  and  after  all  was  said ;  after  all 
that  had  been  collecting  for  about  live  months,  by  the 
scrutiny  of  surrounding  enemies,  and  by  spies  which 
had  been  sent  into  his  company  and  family  ;  to  what 
did  it  amount  ?  It  amounted  to — wliat  I  am  not  at 
liberty  to  say,  being  a  member  of  the  court,  and  a« 
the  sentence  is  not  yet  approved  of  by  the  Col. 
Commandant." 

It  appears  also  from  the  petition  of  .John  F.  Ran- 
dolph, and  twenty  nine  others,  heads  of  families  liv- 
ing in  the  vicinity  of  Colerain,  addressed  to  the  War 
Department,  that  Capt.  Eaton  had  given  great  sat- 
isfaction to  the  neighborhood,  by  restraining  his  sol- 
diers from  plunder  :  as  tlie  petitioners,  after  his  re- 
moval, complain  of  the  ati-ocious  conduct  of  the 
soldiery,  and  the  acquiescence  of  the  officers,  and 
pray  that  Eaton  may  be  restored  to  command. 

The  proceedings  of  the  court  martial  were  sent  to 
Gaither,  whose  duty  it  was  to  decide  upon  them. 
As  his  object  was  not  attained,  instead  of  deciding 
upon  the  sentence,  he  ordered  Eaton  to  be  confined 
within  the  walls  of  Fort  Pickering,  where  he  was 
immured  upwards  of  a  month  ;  and  sent  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  court  martial  to  the  Secretary  at 
War  :  and  ordered  Eaton  to  the  seat  of  governmeiit, 
after  this  long  confinement. 

On  arriving  at  Philadelphia,  in  December,  Capt, 
Eaton  presented  himself  to  the  Secretary  at  War, 
d.esiring  to  know  what  standing  he  then  had.  The 
Secretary  informed  him  that  tiie  sentence  was  not 
confirmed  ;  and  that  his  standing  was  not  changed 
In  January,  1797?  Eaton  returned  to  Brimfield, 
where  he  continued  till  the  ensuing  summer,  when  he 
repaired  to  Philadelphia,  in  consequence  of  general 
marching  orders. 

In  July,  he  was  charged  with  a  confidential  com 
mission   from  the  Secretary  of  state,  to  execute  the 


5^i  LIFE   OF 

orders  which  should  be  issued  by  a  committee  of 
Congress  sitting  to  procure  information  relative  to  the 
conspiracy  of  William  Blount  ;  and  received  orders 
and  a  warrant  to  repair  to  Ncav  York,  and  arrest 
Doctor  Nicholas  Romayne  and  his  papers.  This 
duty  was  immediately  performed.  Eaton  left  Phi- 
ladelphia on  the  morning  of  the  10th  July,  and  se- 
cured Homayne  and  his  papers,  before  3  o'clock  the 
next  morning,  and  brought  him  to  Philadelphia  at 
S  o'clock  P.  M.  on  the  12th. 

On  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  appointed 
Consul  to  the  city  and  kingdom  of  Tunis. 

During  the  same  month  he  was  charged  with  dis- 
patches for  Mr.  Gerry,  then  in  Cambridge,  who  was 
about  to  sail  for  France  ;  which  were  delivered  ac- 
cording to  their  address. 

The  autumn  Eaton  spent  in  Brimfield  ;  and  the 
winter  in  a  journey  to  the  Ohio  ;  whence  he  returned 
to  BrimfieUi  in  March,  1798  ;  where  he  continued 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  till  Nov.  12th,  when, 
on  receiving  information  from  the  Secretary  of  state 
that  the  vessels  destined  to  Algiers  were  ready  to  de- 
part, he  took  leave  of  his  family,  and,  on  the  18th, 
arrived  at  Philadelphia. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  Mr.  Eaton  took  leave 
of  the  Secretary  of  state,  Mr.  Pickering,  and  went 
on  board  the  U.  S.  brig  Sophia,  Capt.  Henry 
Geddes,  commander,  bound  to  Algiers  ;  in  company 
with  the  Hero,  a  ship  of  350  tons  burden,  loaded 
with  naval  stores  for  the  Dey  of  Algiers  ;  the  Has- 
san Bashaw,  an  armed  brig  of  275  tons,  mounting 
eight  six  pounders,  destined  to  Algiers  ;  the  Skjol- 
dabrand,  a  schooner  of  250  tons,  16  double  fortified 
four  pounders,  destined  to  Algiers  ;  and  the  Le  la 
Eisha,  of  150  tons,  14  four  pounders,  also  destined 
to  Algiers.  All  these  vessels  excepting  the  Sophia, 
were  to  be  delivered  to  the  Dey  of  Algiers,  for  ar- 
fearages  of  stipulation  and  present  dues. 


GEN.    EATON.  5$ 

James  Leander  Catlicart^  appointed  Consul  at 
Tripoli,  and  his  Lady,  took  passage  in  the  Sophia 
witli  Mr.  Eaton. 

In  the  montli  of  August,  1797^  Joseph  Etienne 
Famin,  a  French  merchant  residing  at  Tunis,  agent 
for  the  United  States  there,  formed  a  treaty  with 
the  regency  of  Tunis.  This  treaty  was  discussed 
by  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  in  the  month  of 
March,  1 798,  and  ratified,  with  the  exception  of  the 
14th  article,  which  v/as  in  these  words.  ♦ 

br^i^  The  Citizens  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
who  shall  transport  into  the  kingdom  of  Tunis  the 
merchandize  of  their  country  in  the  vessels  of  their 
nation,  shall  pay  three  per  cent  duty.  Such  as  may 
be  laden  by  such  citizens  under  a  foreign  flag  com- 
ing from  the  United  States  or  elsewhere,  shall  pay 
ten  per  cent  duty.  Such  as  may  be  laden  by  for- 
eigners on  board  of  American  vessels  coming  from 
any  place  whatever,  shall  also  pay  ten  per  cent  dutyi 
If  any  Tunisian  merchant  wishes  to  carry  merchan- 
dize of  his  country,  under  any  flag  whatever,  into  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  on  his  own  account, 
he  shall  pay  three  per  cent  duty." 

It  is  somewhat  surprising  that  this  Mr.  Famin, 
a  Frenchman,  should  have  been  authorized  to  make 
this  treaty,  at  a  time  when  France  and  the  United 
States  had  assumed  a  hostile  attitude.  His  being 
recommended  by  Mr.  Barlow  may  however  assist 
in  the  solution  of  such  an  impropriety.  If  Famin 
was  ignorant  of  the  revenue  laws  of  the  United 
States,  he  was  unfit  to  negotiate  a  treaty  ;  if  not  ig- 
norant, the  14tli  article  discovers  a  gross  violation  of 
duty  and  propriety.  The  first  object  demanding  the 
attention  of  the  two  Consuls,  Eaton  and  Cathcart,^ 
in  conjunction  with  O'Brien,  Consul  at  Algiers,  and 
then  there,  was  an  alteration  of  the  14th  article  of  this 
treaty  :  the  three  Consuls,  or  any  two  of  them,  being 
authorised  to  make  the  adjustment. 

It  was  suspected  by  the  government  of  the  U.  S, 
that  the  latter  part  of  the  14th  article  might  have  been 


LIFE   OF      ; 

inserted  by  Famin  with  an  expectation  of  deriving  for 
himself  great  commercial  advantages  fey  opening  a 
direct  trade  from  Tunis  to  this  country  :  or  that  the 
Bey  and  his  chiefs,  either  aware  of  the  efiPects  of  the 
article,  or  being  imformed  by  Famin,  might  contrive 
it  as  the  instrument  of  obtaining  a  new  sacrifice  to 
their  avarice  ;  expecting  it  would  not  be  ratified  by 
the  United  StatesJ;  and  that  the  United  States,  in  or- 
der to  get  it  expunged,  would  offer  the  Bey  an  addi- 
tional sum  of  money.  But,  whatever  might  have 
been  the  motive,  the  article  was  inadmissible  ;  and 
the  consuls  were  instructed  to  alter  it,  so  as  to  place 
the  commerce  of  the  United  States  with  Tunis,  and 
that  of  Tunis  with  the  United  States,  on  the  footing 
of  the  commerce  of  the  most  favored  nation  for  the 
time  being  ;  or  to  insist  on  its  rejection,  even  though 
immediate  war  should  be  the  consequence. 

Objection  was  also  made  by  the  Senate  to  some  othi 
er  parts  of  the  treaty  ;  especially  the  provision  that  a 
barrel  of  gunpowder  should  be  paid  the  Tunisian 
government,  for  the  firing  of  every  gun  of  a  Tunisian 
fort,  saluting  American  armed  vessels  entering  their 
harbors,  ;  the  number  of  guns  for  a  salute  he^ 
ing  left  to  the  pleasure  of  those  saluting. 

The  following  is  Mr.  Eaton's  Letter  of  Cre- 
dence. 


eEN.    EATON,  5^ 


JOHN  ADAMS, 


/ 


PRESIDENT  OF  the  UJ^ITED  STATES 

OF 

AMERICA. 


TO  the  most  Illustrious  and  most  Magnifi- 
tent  Prince,  the  Bey^  who  commands  the  Odgiac  of 
Tunis,  the  abode  ofhaj)j)inesSy  and  the  most  honored 
Ibrahim  Dey,  and  Soliman,  .i_^ft  of  the  JanisarieSp 
and  Chief  of  the  Divan  and  all  the  Elders  of  the 
Odsaiac, 

^—  Illustrious  and  Honored  !1^riends. 

SOME  difficulties  occurring  in  the  terms  of 
the  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship  concluded  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  you^  and  being  de- 
sirous of  removing  the  same  in  the  most  proper 
manner,  I  have  appointed  and  given  full  powei" 
to  our  respected  citizens,  Richard  O'Brien,  Es- 
quire, William  Eaton,  Esquire,  and  James  Le- 
ander  Cathcart,  Esquire,  to  negotiate  with  yoit 
for  the  removal  of  those  difficulties.  I  therefore 
request  you  to  receive  the  said  Richard  O'Bri- 
EN,  William  Eaton  and  James  Leander  Cath- 
cart, or  such  of  them  as  shall  be  at  Tunis  and 
present  you  this  letter,  and  to  hear  and  believe 
the  explanations  of  those  difficulties  whieli  they 
are    directed   to  lav   before  vou  :  and  whereupon 

8 


% 


LIFE    OF 


they  have  authority  to  arrange  with  you  the  terms 
of  the  treaty^  in  a  manner  compatible  with  the  in- 
terest and  honor  of  the  two  nations,  by  Mhich 
peace  may  be  continued,  commerce  established, 
and  the  greatest  advantages  enjoyed  on  both  sides. 
And  may  the  Infinite  God  direct  our  hearts  to 
tliai  which  is  right. 

Illustrious  and  Honored  Friends. 

I  have  appointed  the  said  Willian  Eatoj^^ 
Esquire,  to  be  Consul  of  the  United  States,  for 
the  city  and  kingdom  of  Tunis,  to  reside  at  Tu- 
nis, to  watch  over  the  interests  of  the  United 
States  and  their  citizens.  Wherefore,  I  request 
you  to  receive  him  as  their  Consul,  to.  cause  him 
to  be  duly  respected,  and  to  give  full  credence  to 
what  he  shall  say  to  you,  on  behalf  of  the  Unit- 
ed States,  more  especially  when  he  shall  assure 
you  of  their  friendship  and  good  will. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  great  Seal  off 
the  United  States  of  America,  at  Philadelphia, 
the  twenty  first  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety 
eight,  and  the  Independence  of  the  United  Stfte^ 
ihe  twenty  third. 

JOHN  ADAMS. 

By  the  President^  Timothy  Pickbring, 


GEN.   EATON.  59 

On  the  9th  of  February,  the  Sophia  arrived  in  the 
bay  of  Algiers,  after  a  passage  of  thirty  six  days 
from  the  capes  of  Delaware.  Eaton  and  Cath- 
CART  waited  on  O'Brien,  Consul  General  of  the  Unit- 
ed  States  for  the  Barbary  coast,  and  continued  with 
him  till  the  2d  of  March.  On  the  IGth  of  Februa- 
ry  the  armed  vessels  stipulated  to  be  given  the  Dey 
of  Algiers,  were  delivered  to  the  Regency.  On  the 
SSnd,  Eaton  and  Cathcart  were  introduced  to  the 
palace.  The  introduction  is  thus  described  by  Ea- 
ton. 

^^  Feb.  S2,  Friday,  13  o''dock,  M.  admitted  to  an 
audience  with  the  Deij. 

Consuls  O'Brien,  Cathcart  and  myself.  Captains 
Geddes,  Smith,  Penrose,  Maley,  proceeded  from  the 
American  house  to  the  court  yard  of  the  palace,  un- 
covered our  heads,  entered  the  area  of  the  hall,  as- 
cended a  winding  maze  of  five  flights  of  stairs,  to  a 
narrow,  dark  entry,  leading  to  a  contracted  apartment 
of  about  12  by  eight  feet,  the  private  audience  room. 
Here  we  took  off  our  shoes  ;  and,  entering  the  cave, 
(for  so  it  seemed)  with  small  apertures  of  light  with 
iron  grates,  we  were  shown  to  a  huge,  shaggy  beast, 
sitting  on  his  rump,  upon  a  low  bench,  covered  with  a 
cushion  of  embroidered  velvet,  with  his  hind  legs 
gathered  up  like  a  taylor,  or  a  bear.  On  our  ap- 
proach to  him,  he  reached  out  his  fore  paw  as  if  to 
receive  something  to  eat.  Our  guide  exclaimed, 
^^  Kiss  the  Dey's  hand  !  "  The  consul  general 
bowed  very  elegantly,  and  kissed  it  ;  and  we  follow- 
ed his  example  in  succession.  The  animal  seemed 
at  that  moment  to  be  in  a  harmless  mode  :  he  grin- 
ned several  times  ;  but  made  very  little  noise.  Hav- 
ing performed  this  ceremony,  and  standing  a  few 
moments  in  silent  agony,  we  had  leave  to  take  our 
shoes  and  other  property,  and  leave  the  den,  without 
any  other  injury  than  the  humility  of  being  obliged, 
in  this  involuntary  manner,  to  violate  the  second 
commandment  of  God,  and  offend  common  decency. 


60  LIIE   GF 

Can  any  man  believe  that  this  elevated  brute  has 
seven  king  s  of  Europe,  two  republics,  and  a  conti- 
nent, tributary  to  him,  when  his  whole  naval  force  is 
not  equal  to  tv*  o  line  of  battle  ships  ?  It  is  so  !" 

Mr.  Eaton's  reception  at  Tunis,  and  the  progress 
made  in  adjusting  the  treaty,  cannot  better  be  ex- 
plained tlian  by  himself,  in  his  first  communication 
from  Tunis,  to  the  Secretary  of  State.  The  extracts 
from  this  letter  will  also  give  the  reader  some  idea 
of  tJie  mode  of  conducting  diplomatic  concerns  on  the 
coast  of  Barbary, 

Tiinisy  26th  March,  1799. 

Sir, 

THE  following  extract  from  my  journal, 
being  compared  and  corresponding  with  Mr.  Cath- 
cart's,  will  receive  his  signature,  and  be  forwarded 
by  Capt.  Geddes  ;  and  will  detail  our  progress  from 
the  moment  of  leaving  Algiers  till  the  finishing  of 
our  negociation. 

March  M.  Sailed  from  Algiers  for  Tunis. 

Sth.  Forced  by  contrary  winds  into  the  bay 
of  Byserte.  Went  on  shore  ;  and  at  3  P.  M.  dis. 
patched  a  courier  by  land,  with  the  following  letter 
to  Signor  Azulai,  a  Hebrew  merchant  at  Tunis. 

^*  The  underwritten  envoys,  commissioned  by  the 
government  of  the  United  States  of  America,  to  ne- 
gociate  and  fix  on  certain  alterations  in  the  Treaty  of 
peace  between  the  Bey  of  Tunis  and  said  States,  on 
board  the  American  brigantine,  Sophia,  now  riding 
at  anchor  in  the  bay  of  Biserte,  avail  themselves  of 
an  opportunity  of  a  Courier  by  land  to  apprize 
Signor  Solomon  Azulai,  that,  by  the  first  fair  wind, 
they  will  proceed  to  Tunis,  to  enter  upon  the  nego- 
ciation, and  to  desire  him  to  provide,  with  economy, 
a  convenient  house,  with  suitable  furniture  for  their 
j-eception. 

They  have  letters  of  importance  from  the  house  of 
Bocri  and  Busuah  in  Algiers  for  Signor  Azulai :  but 
(ill  jin  opportunity  presents  of  delivering  them  with 


GEN.    EATON.  ^i 

their  own  hand,  tliey  desire  that  the  purport  of  this 
note  may  be  kept  a  profound  secret. 
Please  to  accept,  8^c. 

W.   EATON. 

J.  L.  CATHCART. 

This  letter,  translated  into  Italian,  with  its  origin- 
al, was  forwarded  by  a  Moor,  whom  we  employe<l 
for  the  purpose. 

A  heavy  wind  blowing  into  the  mole,  and  a  strong 
current  setting  out,  occasioned  such  a  surf  that  we 
found  it  impossible  to  reembark  ;  and  we  were  very 
hospitably  invited  to  take  accommodation  in  a  Chris- 
tian house,  Stephen  Decoster,  an  Italian,  who  was 
acting  vice  consul  for  the  Emperor,  Holland  and 
Kagusa.  In  this  house  was  a  Secretary  of  Mr. 
Famin,  who  suspected  our  cliaracter,  and  communis 
eated  his  suspicions  to  him. 

Mai^ch  iOth,  By  the  assistance  of  the  Captain  of 
the  port,  with  a  launch,  we  got  on  board  our  brig. 
In  this  place  we  experienced  much  hospitality,  but 
paid  dear  for  it  in  cash. 

nth.  At  night  anchored  off  cape  Carthagcna. 
^i2th.  Half  past  two  o'clock,  afternoon,  came 
to  anchor  in  the  Bay  of  Tunis.  Proceeded  Avith  the 
Commandant  in  the  boat  to  the  Goalette  :  Exliibit- 
ed  to  the  Aga  of  the  marine  the  ship's  papers,  and  re- 
ceived his  assurance  that  proper  information  sh.ould 
be  sent  to  the  Bey  ;  and  that  tomorrow  at  eleven  in 
the  morning  a  flag  would  be  hoisted  as  a  signal  for 
our  proceeding  to  Tunis. 

14f/i.  Eight  in  the  morning  a  renegade  from  the 
palace  came  on  board  witli  the  Bey's  permission  to 
us  to  go  on  shore.  We  immediately  proceeded  in 
the  barge  to  the  city,  where  we  arrived  at  half  past 
two,  P.  M,  No  house  being  provided,  we  went  to 
M.  Famin's.  He  received  us  with  marks  of  suitable 
respect,  and  offered u?  every  service  in  his  power. 


63  LIFE    OF 

The  flags  of  the  different  European  nations  at 
peace  with  this  regency,  were  hoisted,  on  our  arriv- 
al, upon  the  consular  houses  ;  and  this  afteriioott 
was  consumed  in  the  formality  of  receiving  visits. 

Major  Magre,  the  English  Consul,  spent  the  even- 
ing with  us.  He  cautioned  me  against  any  confi- 
dence in  M.  Famin  :  said  he  was  a  dangerous  man  ; 
and  added  that  my  situation  was  peculiarly  critical 
liere ;  that  snares  were  set  for  me  on  many  sides, 
and  that  the  utmost  vigilance  might  not  save  me  from 
falling  into  some  of  them.  Advised  us  to  move  with 
caution  but  firmness  in  the  business  of  our  negocia- 
tion ;  and  said  the  Bey  was  a  man  of  acute  dis- 
cernment, and  generally  of  fair  dealing  ;  but  that  he 
was  vain  and  avaricious. 

i5tk.  Eight  in  the  morning,  M.  Famin  conducted 
us  to  the  pLilace,  and  introduced  us  to  the  Bey.  Af- 
ter delivering  our  letters  of  credence  and  full  pow- 
ei's,  passing  the  ceremony  of  kissing  his  hand,  sit- 
ting a  few  minutes  and  taking  coffee  ;  he  began  to 
interrosate  us. 

^^  Is  your  vessel  a  vessel  of  war  ?'' 

'  Yes.' 

"  Why  was  I  not  duly  informed  of  it,  that  you 
anight  have  been  saluted,  as  is  customary." 

^  We  were  unacquainted  with  the  customs'. 
{True  cause,  we  did  not  choose  to  demand  a  salute 
which  would  cost  the  United  States  eight  hundred 
dollars.) 

"  Had  not  you  an  agent  here  who  could  have  in- 
formed jou  ;  and  have  not  I  ministers  who  could 
have  introduced  your  concerns  to  me,  without  tlie  a- 
gency  of  a  Jew  .^" 

'  True  we  had  an  a£;enriiere,  but  we  were  unin- 
formed  of  the  mode  of  making  communications.' 
(The  fact  is.  we  had  been  advised  at  Algiers,  not  to 
employ  M.  Famin,  and  had  made  our  arrangements 
accordingly.) 

'^  It  is  now  more  than  a  year  since  I  expected  the 
regalia  of  maritime  and  military  stores,  stipulated  by 


GEN.    EATOX. 

treaty  :  what  impedes  the   fulfilment  of  the  stipula- 
tion r' 

^  The  treaty  was  received  by  our  government  a- 
bout  eight  months  ago  :  a  malady  then  raged  in  our 
capital,  which  forced  not  only  the  citizens,  but  all 
the  departments  of  the  government,  to  fly  into  the  in- 
terior villages  of  the  country.  About  the  time  the 
plague  ceased  to  rage,  and  permitted  the  return  of 
the  government,  the  winter  shut  up  our  harbors  with 
ice.  We  are  also  engaged  in  a  war  with  France  ; 
and  all  our  extraordinary  means  are  turned  into  the 
channel  of  defence  against  the  depredations  of  that 
rapacious  nation.  Besides,  when  the  treaty  was  laid, 
before  the  government  for  ratification,  it  was  found 
exceptionable.  We  are  come  forward  empowered  to 
agree  on  the  necessary  alterations.  When  these  shall 
be  effectuated,  the  Government  of  the  United  States 
will  cause  every  exertion  to  be  made  for  the  fulfilment 
of  the  obligation  on  their  part.' — We  pointed  out  the 
articles  and  amendments  ;  and  assured  the  Bey  that, 
when  these  should  be  agreed  to,  we  were  authorized 
as  a  proof  of  the  good  faith  of  our  government,  and 
of  the  siacerity  of  their  desire  to  cultivate  friendship, 
to  stipulate  for  the  payment  of  an  equivalent  in  cash'. 

"  I  am  not  a  pauper,"  said  he  ;  "  I  have  cash  to 
spare.  The  stores  are  at  this  moment  more  than  ev- 
er peculiarly  necessary  in  Consequence  of  the  war 
with  France.  You  have  found  no  difficulty  in  ful- 
filing  your  engagements  with  Algiers  and  Tripoli  ;  - 
and  to  the  former,  have  very  liberally  made  presents 
of  frigates  and  other  armed  vessels." 

We  told  him  these  facts  had  been  misrepresented 
to  him.  Our  government  had,  indeed,  agreed  to  fur- 
nish to  the  Dey  of  Algiers,  certain  armed  vessels  for 
which  he  was  to  pay  cash  ;  that  we  found  no  great 
difficulty  in  fulfiling  this  contract,  because  the  ves- 
sels carried  with  them  their  own  defence  ;  and  be- 
cause it  had  been  several  years  in  its  accomplish- 
ment. We  had  therefore  fulfiled  it,  and  received 
the  stipulated  consideration.     We  were  as  ready  to 


tJ^?  LIFE    OF 

filial  oar  engagements  with  him,  if,  by  auy  arrange- 
ments which  could  now  be  made,  it  could  be  render- 
ed as  feasible. 

"  You  may  inform  mC;,"  said  the  Bashaw,  '^  that 
the  Dey  of  Algiers  paid  you  cash  for  your  vessels. 
I  am  at  liberty  to  believe  otherwise."  Turning  to 
M.  Famiu,  he  said,  "  If  the  treaty  were  not  ratified 
by  the  government  of  the  United  States  in  its  origin- 
al form,  why  did  you  hoist  their  colors  ?" 

"  I  had  orders  from  the  government  to  hoist 
them,"  said  M.  Famin. 

We  assured  the  Bashaw  that  no  such  orders  had 
been  given  by  our  government,  nor  would  be  until 
the  ratification  of  the  treaty.  The  exceptions  to  it 
were  but  few,  and  with  these  exceptions,  our  gov- 
ernment would  find  no  difficulty  in  agreeing  to  it.  If 
M.  Famin  imagined  that  our  government  wished  to 
hoist  the  flag  at  all  events,  he  must  have  mistaken 
the  idea  from  the  communication  of  some  govern- 
mental agents,  and  not  immediately.  We  should, 
however,  when  our  affairs  were  accommodated,  send 
direct  dispatches  to  our  government,  when  the  obli- 
gations of  our  agent  here  would  be  acknowledged 
and  paid. 

-  Said  the  Bey,  "  It  cost  you  but  little  to  have  your 
flag  hoisted.  It  will  cost  you  less  to  have  it  taken 
down  :"  and  insisted  on  the  Regalia  as  a  condition 
of  the  preservation  of  the  peace. 

We  repeated  the  hazard  of  sending  out  the  stores. 
The  articles  were  contraband  of  war  :  if  they  should 
fall  into  the  hands  of  the  French,  they  could  on  no 
principles  be  reclaimed.  Tliis  would  occasion  to  us 
positive  loss  ;  to  him  delay  and  disappointment. 
This  event  was  almost  certain.  The  streights  of  the 
Mediterranean  were  covered  with  French  and  Span- 
ish war  boats,  and  there  was  no  way  of  passing  them 
but  by  fighting  through.  To  prevent,  therefore,  the 
disappointment  which  might,  and  most  probably 
would  be  eventual,  of  sending  out  the  stores  unpro- 
tected, we  proposed  furnishing  an  equivalent  cruis- 


GEN.    ^ATON.  ^3 

er,  provided  he  acceded  to  the  alterations  we   de- 
manded in  the  treaty. 

Said  he  "  I  shall  expect  an  armed  vessel  from  yon 
gratuitously,  after  the  business  is  settled,  as  you 
have  given  Algiers." 

We  answered  him  he  might  not  expect  any  thing 
of  the  kind  ;  it  was  utterly  impossible.  We  iiad 
business  enough  for  our  naval  force,  in  defending 
our  commerce  against  the  depredations  of  our  com- 
mon enemy  ;  and  it  was  only  to  prevent  sacrificing 
our  property  in  such  a  manner  as  to  strengthen  their 
liands,  and  to  convince  him  of  the  integrity  of  our 
government,  that  we  proposed  subatituting  an  armed 
vessel  in  lieu  of  the  stores. 

He  observed  that  the  present  opportunity  was  not 
favorable  to  tliis  subject,  and  proposed  postponing  it. 
Said  he  would  send  for  us  at  a  convenient  season  ; 
but  enjoined  upon  us  to  make  our  communications  di- 
rectly, or  through  his  ministers,  and  not  through  the 
medium  of  a  Jew. 

This  conversation  was  in  presence  of  Mr.  Famin, 
and  it  was  believed  on  this  account  tiie  Bey  propos- 
ed postponing  the  discussion. 

We  retired  into  tlie  area  of  the  palace  and  remain- 
ed a  few  minutes,  when  the  sapitapa  asked  several 
questions  of  a  commercial  ncature,  and  said  the  Bey 
would  send  for  us  on  Monday. 

We  returned  to  M.  Famines.  During  this  inter- 
view we  desired  permission  to  take  a  house ;  and 
was  answered  that  business  of  greater  importance 
must  first  be  arranged,  after  which  accommodations 
of  this  sort  would  be  attended  to  ;  besides  this  was 
the  American  house. 

March  iQth.  Last  evening,  Mr.  Cathcart  went  off 
to  go  on  board,  but  was  detained  all  night  at  the 
Goulette  ;  accepted  the  hospitality  of  a  respectable, 
intelligent  old  man,  who  had  formerly  been  a  Colo- 
nel in  the  army  of  the  Stadtholdcr,  now  an  engineer 
in  the  Bey's  service,  with  whom  he  tarried  all  night, 
and  from   whom  he  obtained  and  noted  in  his  di^ry 

9 


•80  LIFE    OF 

the  following  advice.  "  Trust  no  person  with  jouw 
affairs.  Be  a.ware  of  Famin.  He  is  an  insidious 
character,  despised  by  all  the  Consuls  :  is  consider- 
ed as  a  spy  upon  their  actions  ;  is  supposed  to  have 
coined  pretexts  for  the  government  of  Tunis  to  make 
demands  upon  the  tributary  nations  ;  and  he  is  gen- 
erally believed  to  receive  brokerage  for  all  the  fish 
he  brings  to  their  net. 

The  Bey  is  susceptible  of  flattery,  and  not  abso- 
lutely unchangeable  in  his  resolutions."  This  cor- 
responded with  the  advice  of  the  British  Consul. 

The  plenipotentiary  of  Algiers,  resident  at  Tu- 
nis, sent  for  us  :  we  waited  on  him.  After  making 
us  a  tender  of  his  friendship,  he  advised  us  to  enter- 
tain no  doubts  of  a  favorable  issue  to  our  negociation; 
but  to  move  with  caution  and  perseverance  :  said  the 
Barbary  princes  sometimes  wore  unmeaning  frowns, 
and  did  not  always  execute  their  menaces. 

We  informed  him  of  the  position  our  government 
had  taken  to  repel  and  punish  the  aggressions  of 
France  :  told  him  the  Bey  of  Tunis,  since  this  posi- 
tion was  taken,  must  adopt  a  policy  to  us  wholly  un- 
accountable, if,  by  rejecting  our  terms  of  accommo- 
dation, he  should  oblige  us  to  turn  those  arms  against 
his  cruisers  which  Were  now  pointed  only  against 
his  enemy.  But  if  he  preferred  this  measure  it  was 
at  his  option  :  we  should  not  accede  to  any  extraor- 
dinary sacrifice  to  evade  it.  Situated  as  the  United 
States  are,  they  would  not  throw  any  property  with- 
in  his  grasp  on  these  seas  unprotected.  Whatever, 
therefore,  he  should  chance  to  capture  would  first  be 
disputed. 

He  seemed  pleased  with  our  hostility  with  France, 
Said,  patience  and  perseverance  were  only  necessa- 
ry to  the  attainment  of  our  object  ;  and  engaged  to 
sec  the  Bey.  He  advised  that  Mr.  Cathcart  should 
remain  with  me  till  the  business  should  be  concluded, 
on  account  of  his  speaking  the  language  ;  and,  iu 
terms  of  great  apparent  sincerity,  again  made  a  ten- 


GEN.    EATO^\  ^ 

del*  of  his  personal  friendship  to  me  as  agent  for  the 
United  States,  for  whose  government  lie  expressed 
great  respect :  (so  would  a  Cheroltee  Chief,  for  a 
bottle  of  rum  and  a  rifle.) 

Algiers  exerts  all  her  means  to  maintain  a  com- 
manding influence  in  the  affairs  of  Tunis  ;  and  how- 
ever reluctant  the  latter  may  be  in  yielding  to  this 
policy,  imperious  circumstances  compel  it.  Algiers 
is  the  superior  in  arms  and  resource.  This  the  sub- 
jects of  the  Bey  well  know,  and  are  backward  at 
contending  with  them.  When  therefore  the  Dey 
embarks  his  national  pride  in  the  attainment  of  any 
measure,  he  is  sure  to  carry  it  with  the  Bey  ;  conse- 
quently the  latter  will  not  voluntarily  disoblige  him, 
when  he  is  convinced  of  his  sincerity.  It  is  never- 
theless dangerous  for  Christian  nations  to  employ  the 
mediation  of  Algiers  in  negociation  with  Tunis  :  for 
these  two  powers  generally  play  so  understandingly 
into  each  others  hands,  that  when  the  former  has 
fleeced  his  cliant  of  the  fee,  the  management  of  the 
cause  becomes  a  matter  of  indifference. 

Mondaij,  iSth,  Eleven,  A.  M.  Went  to  the  pal- 
ace. After  passing  the  usual  ceremonies,  taking 
coffee,  and  sitting  a  moment,  the  Bey  desired  to  see 
the  articles  of  the  treaty  which  wanted  revision. 
We  produced  a  note  in  English,  containing  the  ar- 
ticles and  the  amendment  aimed  at :  these  Mr.  Cath- 
cart  rendered  to  him  in  Italian.  He  ordered  his 
Secretary  to  give  him  the  Turkish  original.  This 
lie  compared  with  the  copy  in  Frencb,  which  we 
had  with  us,  and  observed  that  he  could  see  no  rea- 
foon  why  our  government  should  reject,  or  Avish  to 
alter  the  14tli  article,  as  it  was  perfectly  reciprocal. 

We  told  him  it  Avas  not  for  want  of  a  literal  recip- 
rocity  in  the  article  that  it  was  exceptionable  :  but 
the  duty  being  fixed  at  three  per  cent,  would  very 
essentially  effect  our  existing  commercial  treaties 
with  other  nations,  with  whom  we  were  at  peace, 
and  reduce  us  to  the  necessity,  expense  and  trouble^ 
©f  ultering  all  those  treaties. 


68  '  LIFE    OP 

The  Bey  answered  that  he  was  not  tenacious  of 
the  article  in  its  present  shape  :  he  was  satisfied  the 
duty  should  be  altered  to  six,  ten,  or  an  hundred 
per  cent,  provided  it  retained  its  reciprocity,  or  that 
Ave  sliould  demand  no  partial  privileges. 

We  proposed  this  substitute,  ^  Tlie  commerce  of 
the  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  the  United  States  with 
the  kingdom  of  Tunis,  and  the  subjects  and  inhabit- 
ants of  tlie  kingdom  of  Tunis  with  the  United 
States,  shall  be  on  the  footing  of  the  most  favored  na- 
tion for  the  time  being  respectively.' 

The  Bey  said  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  agree  to 
this,  till  he  should  be  informed  what  duties  were 
paid  in  the  United  States  :  it  was  possible  the  bur- 
then might  be  very  unequal.  The  duties  of  the  most 
favored  nations  v/ere  fixed  in  his  ports  at  three  per 
cent  ad  valorem,  and  according  to  a  valuation  taken 
and  fixed  by  the  prices  current  of  Feb.  7^  1753. 
That  many  of  those  articles  were  now  six  hundred 
per  cent  dearer  than  at  that  period,  aud  consequently 
did  not  pay  half  per  cent.  This  was  a  permanent 
establishment  fixed  by  treaty  with  the  French,  of  the 
above  date,  and  allowed  to  be  considered  as  a  rule 
for  otlier  nations.  But  the  latitude  which  our  pro- 
posed substitute  would  admit,  might  expose  his  sub- 
jeets  to  the  payment  of  any  duty  our  government 
should  think  proper  to  impose,  provided  the  most  fa- 
vored nations  paid  the  same.  He  proposed  fixing 
the  duty  at  ten  per  cent  respectively  ;  allowing  his 
subjects  to  carry  their  merchandize  under  any  colors 
whatever. 

We  told  him  the  proposition  was  inadmissible, 
and  were  proceeding  to  give  reasons,  when  he  pro- 
posed to  dismiss  further  discussion  of  this  article  till 
tomorrow, 

We  then  introduced  the  first  clause  of  the  amende 
ment  to  the  IStii  article.  He  said  he  had  no  objec- 
tion to  it  ;  but  the  original  was  more  favorable  to  us 
than  the  amendment ;  and  he  explained  it  to  bear 
exactly  the  construction  which  the  Secretary  of  the 


GEN.    EATON.  60 

United  States  imagined  it  miglit  mean.  -'•^  That  the 
officers  on  the  spot  should  furnish  such  protection 
without  obliging  the  parties  to  seek  it  at  a  distance." 
It  admitted  this  resort  to  his  governors  in  the  first  in- 
stance, without  application  to  subordinate  authori- 
ties, and  enjoined  upon  them  the  duty  of  furnishing 
this  protection  ;  leaving  an  appeal  to  himself  in  all 
cases  where  complete  support  and  adequate  justice 
were  not  rendered  by  those  officers. 

We  passed  from  this  clause  to  the  second  of  the 
amendment  to  the  same  article. 

The  Bey  said  this  article  also  was  misconstrued, 
or  badly  translated  from  the  original.  It  had  refer- 
ence only  to  cases  of  emergency,  where  Ae,  (the  Bey- 
lique,)  had  occasion  to  send  vessels  to  the  Levant 
or  other  ports  in  the  Mediterranean  ;  but  did  not 
mean  to  extend  to  vessels  of  war  nor  of  the  govern- 
ment. 

We  told  him  this  was  a  concession,  even  with  this 
explanation,  which  the  United  States  yielded  to  no 
nation  on  earth.  It  was  without  reciprocity  ;  it 
might  work  an  essential  injury  to  our  merchants,  by 
turning  them  out  of  their  course  ;  and  it  would  also 
produce  injury  to  tlie  commercial  interests  of  his  sub- 
jects, because  it  would  operate  as  a  prohibition  a.~ 
gainst  our  vessels  entering  his  ports. 

He  said  the  Danes,  Swedes,  Dutch,  Spaniards, 
and  all  other  nations,  Vv^ith  Avhom  he  was  at  peace, 
conceded  to  the  same  article,  and  it  could  not  be  dis- 
pensed with  in  this  treaty. 

We  proposed  to  modify  it  as  follows,  ^  If  in  case 
of  emergency  the  government  of  Tunis  should  have 
need  of  an  American  vessel  to  facilitate  dispatches  to 
any  port  in  the  Mediterranean,  such  vessel,  being 
within  the  Regency,  and  not  a  vessel  of  war,  nor  be* 
longing  to  the  government  of  the  United  States,  may 
be  compelled  to  perform  such  service,  on  receiving  a 
payment  sufficient  to  indemnify  the  owners  and  oth- 
ers concerned  for  such  service  and  detention.'     To 


70  LIFE    OF 

this  he  agreed  :  then  revived  the  subject  of  the  delay 
of  our  government  in  not  forwarding  the  Regalia. 

We  repeated  to  him  the  reasons  before  stated  ; 
explained  to  him  the  form  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States  ;  told  him  the  Senate,  who  were  a  dis- 
tinguished body  of  patriots  elected  from  every  State 
in  the  Union,  to  counsel  the  chief  magistrate  in  af- 
fairs of  this  magnitude,  had  not  consented  to  the  rati- 
fication of  the  treaty  :  they  had  resolved  not  to  ratify 
it  till  it  should  be  modified  on  just  and  honorable 
terms.  The  compact  was  not  complete  ;  the  gov- 
ernment therefore,  were  neither  obliged  nor  authoriz- 
ed to  forward  the  Regalia  ;  and,  to  deal  very  cand- 
idly on  this  subject,  no  provisions  would  be  made 
for  this  purpose  till  the  treaty  should  be  amended 
and  ratified  :  when  this  should  take  place  the  gov- 
ernment would  promptly  and  punctually  fulfil  their 
engagements. 

The  Bey  paused  a  moment  and  said,  "  Tomor- 
row !  You  have  stayed  till  my  dinner  is  getting  cold. 
Go  ;  and  come  tomorrow  at  eleven  o'clock." 

'Tuesday,  iQth^  Eleven,  A.  M.  at  the  palace. 

The  Eey  reverted  again  to  the  iStli  article,  and  at 
our  request,  ordered  his  secretary  to  enter  the  ex- 
planation he  had  given  to  the  first  clause  of  the  a- 
mendment  in  the  original.  Turning  to  the  second, 
after  going  over  the  ground  of  yesterday,  he  affected 
not  to  have  intended  it  should  be  altered  agreeably 
to  our  translation  of  his  meaning.  It  must  not  be 
limited  to  couriers  only  in  cases  of  emergency,  but 
extend  to  the  freight  of  a  vessel  where  he  should 
have  occasion  to  send  or  take  a  cargo  to  or  from  any 
port  in  the  Mediterranean  ;  but  it  should  extend  to 
merchantmen  only.  He  ordered  his  Secretary  to  in- 
sert,  by  interlineation,  this  alteration  in  the  original ; 
observing  at  the  same  time  that  occurrences  of  this 
kind  vt'i'Y  s-^cldom  happened,  and  probably  never 
would  to  the  Americans. 

We  said  this  alteration  of  liis  was  immaterial  :  it 
was   not   as   we   understood  him^  yesterday.     If  it 


GEN.    EATON.  71 

sliould  be  confined  to  couriers  only  in  cases  of  emer-, 
gency,  for  the  immediate  service  of  tlie  government, 
it  was  possible  our  government  might  consent  to  it ; 
but  as  it  now  stood,  they  would  surely  reject  it. 
But  if  they  should  agree  to  it,  the  result  would  be 
that  our  merchantmen  would  not  enter  his  ports. 

"  Well"  said  he,  "  I  can  do  without  them  :  they 
seek  their  own  profit  and  not  mine  in  coming  here. 
I  get  the  pitiful  sum  of  three  per  cent,  by  an  old  tar- 
if,  Which  hardly  amounts  to  one  ;  whereas,  they 
make  great  profits  to  themselves.  I?ut,  if  your  gov- 
ernment does  not  like  it  as  it  now  stands,  they  may 
reject  it  or  send  it  back  :  it  is  now  on  a  footing  with 
the  French,  Danes,  Swedes,  Ducth,  in  short,  with 
all  nations  at  peace  with  us."  Without  further  ob- 
servation he  returned  to  the  14th  article  ;  repeated 
the  observations  of  yesterday  ;  insisted  on  fixing  the 
duty  ;  but  would  agree  it  should  be  reciprocal. 

We  declared  to  him  it  was  impossible  for  us  to 
define  the  exact  duty  :  the  power  of  laying  duties  oa 
imports  was  vested  in  the  representatives  of  the 
whole  nation,  in  congress  assembled.  We  could  on- 
ly agree  to  the  substituted  article.  This  accorded 
to  him  the  same  privileges  wliicli  are  given  to  our 
best  friends  ;  leaving  him  at  liberty  at  the  same 
time  to  impose  such  duties  on  goods  belonging  to 
our  citizens  as  he  should  think  equitable  and  fit  to 
impose  on  those  of  the  nations  most  favored.  Our 
commercial  treaty  with  the  powerful  nation  of  Eng- 
land was  on  the  same  principle.  France,  before  the 
annulling  of  our  treaty,  and  all  other  nations  with 
whom  we  were  at  peace,  were  exactly  on  this  foot- 
ing with  us.  His  interest  would  probably  never  be 
eifected  by  the  article,  and  we  could  see  no  reason 
v.'hy  he  should  so  strenuously  oppose  a  measure 
which  would  serve  a  friend  and  work  no  injury  to 
himself.  In  short  the  article  must  be  altered  or  the 
liegociation  was  at  an  end ;  and  he  might  abandon 
the  expectation  of  the  Regalia.  He  laid  down  the 
treaty  ;  made  us  no  reply ;  but,  turning  to  his  minis- 


7a  LIFE   OF 

} 

ter s,  began  a  conversation  in  Arabic.  At  length, 
turning  to  the  eleventh  article,  he  asked  if  there  were 
any  other  article  to  be  altered  besides  these.  An- 
swer, no.  "  What  alteration  do  you  want  in  this  ?'' 
^  Strike  out  the  barrel  of  powder  for  each  gun,  and 
reduce  the  number  to  fifteen.'  He  peremptorily  re- 
fused. Said  he  would  insert  an  alteration  in  the 
Turliish  original,  and  render  the  terms  of  the  article 
reciprocal,  by  imposing  the  same  duty  on  Tunisian 
vessels  in  American  ports.  We  told  him  the  transla- 
tion had  it  so.  "  But  the  original  has  not,^*  saidiie  : 
and,  ordering  his  Secretary  to  make  the  addition, 
asked  if  we  agreed  to  it  now.  We  told  him  we  did 
not ;  it  did  not  alter  our  understanding  of  it  :  though 
the  terras  had  a  nominal  reciprocity,  they  were  other- 
wise in  effect ;  because  there  was  no  probability  that 
his  sliips  of  war  would  frequent  our  ports  ;  whereas 
the  very  conditions  of  our  peace  with  him  obliged  us 
to  send  our  armed  vessels  into  liis.  The  article  cDn- 
yidered  in  relation  to  the  expense  was  a  trifle  ;  but 
as  it  was  unprecedented  in  any  of  his  treaties  with 
other  nations,  it  would  be  humiliating  in  us  to  agree 
to  it,  and  not  very  lionorable  in  him  to  demand  it  ; 
we  trusted  therefore,  he  Avould  not  insist  on  so 
singular  a  demand  for  so  trifling  a  consideration. 
"  However  trifling,"  said  he,  "  it  may  appear  to  you, 
to  me  it  is  important.  Fifteen  barrels  of  powder 
will  furnish  a  cruiser  which  may  capture  a  prize  and 
net  me  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.'' 

We  told  him  the  concession  was  so  degrading 
that  our  nation  would  not  yield  to  it :  both  justice  and 
honor  forJiade  ;  and  we  did  not  doubt  but  the  world 
would  view  the  demand  as  they  would  the  conces- 
sion. 

"  You  consult  your  honor,"  said  he,  "  I  my  inter- 
est ;  but  if  you  wish  to  save  your  honor  in  this  in- 
stance, give  me  fifty  barrels  of  powder  annually,  and 
I  will  agree  to  the  alteration."  We  replied,  that  we 
should  not  expend  a  thought  upon  a  proposition 
which  aimed  at  making  us  tributary.     We  would  a- 


CEN.    EATON.  73 

gree  to  pay  him  for  the  powder  he  burned  inthe  sa- 
lute. He  turned  to  the  Sapitapa^  and  said,  in  Turk- 
ish ;  ^^  These  people  are  Cheribeenas  ;  they  are  so 
hard  there  is  no  dealing  with  them.'^  (Cheribeenas 
are   merchants  from   the  connnes   of  Persia.) 

Mr.  Cathcart  translated  this  to  me  so  loud  that 
the  Sapitapa  heard  him,  and,  grasping  his  hand, 
repeated  the  same  in  Italian. 

We  observed  to  him  that  Ave  had  made  great  sac 
rifiees  to  obtain  a  peace,  which  v/as  likely  to  produce 
nothing.  He  said  it  was  customary  for  friends  to 
accompany  their  professions  with  good  oflices,  to 
demonstrate  their  sincerity.  We  answered,  genuine 
friendship  is  generally  reciprocal  in  these  offices. 
But  friendship  is,  in  business  of  this  nature,  pretty 
much  out  of  the  question.  If  we  were  to  talk  of  eq- 
uity, it  would  be  pretty  difficult  for  him  to  justify  his 
claims  upon  us  :  we  have  never  done  him  any  inju- 
ry, nor  received  a  favor  from  him  ;  and  though  we 
have  been  treated  as  enemies,  we  have  never  been  at 
war  with  him.  '*  You  will  be  pleased  to  cgnsider, 
also,  that  you  have  never  been  at  peace ;  and  if  it 
were  no  favor  to  have  a  free  navigation  into  the 
Mediterranean,  why  do  you  ask  it  ?'^  said  the  Bash- ' 
aw\ 

We  proposed  to  expunge  the  eleventh  article  al- 
together. He  acceded.  *•  Or''  said  he  ^^  Pll  agree 
that  you  shall  not  be  saluted  except  ycu  demand  it  ; 
and  of  course  you  will  not  be  obliged  to  pay  for  a  sa- 
lute :  it  is  no  object  with  me  to  be  firing  away  my  am- 
munition to  salute  strangers  ;  but  if  you  demand  it  you 
must  pay  for  it.''  He  got  up  and  left  the  gulf  with- 
out ceremony.  Going  out,  he  was  asked  if  he  had 
determined  on  any  thing  respecting  the  14 ih  article. 
"  I'll  think  of  it,"  said  he  ;  "  there  are  other  people  to 
be    consulted.     You  will  call  the  day  after  tomor- 


row." 


The  Sapitapa,  who  remained,  took  ^Ir.  Cathcart 
by  the  arm  and  whispered  him.  "  if  you  w  ould  a- 
gree  to  make  the  Bey  tx  private  present^  it  might  in- 

10 


7'lt  LIFE   OF 

duce  him  to  alter  the  14th  article  ;  but  the  article 
relative  to  the  powder  must  stand."  Mr.  Cathcart 
asked  my  opinion  on  the  propriety  of  agreeing  to  the 
proposal.  I  desired  him  to  answer  the  Sapitap^i,  that 
in  case  of  a  favorable  issue  to  the  negoeiation,  it  w&s 
probable  a  gratuity  of  this  nature  might  be  expected^ 
bat  no  stipulation  of  the  kind  would  be  entered  into. 
He  did  so.  The  minister  seemed  disappointed  :  said 
nothing.  We  told  him  the  government  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  had  been  taught  to  entertain  a  very  respect- 
able opinion  of  the  abilities  and  integrity  of  the  Bey 
of  Tunis  :  and  we  hoped  to  have  an  opportunity  to 
confirm  this  opinion  :  intimated  to  him  that  we  were 
assured  his  iniiuence  would  do  much  with  the  Bey  ; 
and  gave  him  to  understand  that  his  friendly  offices 
would  not  be  forgotten. 

He  said  the  Bey  was  very  little  under  the  influ^ 
ence  of  any  man  ;  all  his  business  of  importance  he 
transacted  himself  ;  but,  as  the  Americans  had  never 
been  an  active  enemy,  he  had  always  been  disposed 
to  render  them  every  assistance  in  his  power  ;  he  be- 
lieved he  had  done  much  for  them,  and  was  still  dis- 
posed to  use  tlie  little  influence  he  had  in  their  favor  : 
{'and  lied  J     Left  the  palace,  2  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Thursdm;,  2ist.  eleven,  A.  M.  waited  at  the  pal- 
ace an  hour.  The  Bey  engaged  with  letters  from 
the  east.  Bid  us  come  tomorrow  at  half  past  eight 
in  the  morning.  It  was  proposed  to  me  to  wait  on 
the  Sapitapa.  Supposing  the  maneuvre  planned  to 
give  him  an  opportunity  to  demand  money,  I  refused 
to  see  him.     We  returned  to  the  city. 

Friday,  2%d,  10,  A.  M.  at  the  palace.  The  Bey, 
after  some  introductory  conversation,  asked  what 
was  our  determinations  relative  to  his  proposed  alter- 
ations in  the  treaty  ?  We  told  him  we  had  already 
given  him  our  determination,  and  now  waited  his  an- 
swer, in  order  to  dispatch  the  brigantine.  He  intro- 
duced the  14th  article  ;  said,  again,  if  we  would  fix 
the  duty  ^iten, twenty,  or  an  hundred  per  cent,  adva- 
lor  em,  reciprocally,  he  would  have  no  objection  to 


GEX.    EATON.  7^ 

the  alteration  :  or  if  he  were  informed  what  duties 
w^erepaidby  other  nations  in  our  ports^,  he  should  be  a- 
ble  to  determine  whether  it  would  or  not  be  consistent 
with  the  interest  of  his  subjects  to  admit  of  our  terms. 

We  answered  that  the  duties  in  America  w  ere 
fluctuating  :  some  articles  of  importation  paid  more, 
some  less  ;  but  to  talk  any  more  upon  this  subject 
was  an  unavailing  consumption  of  time  :  we  of- 
fered to  put  the  Tunissians  on  the  footing  of  the 
most  favored  nations  for  the  time  being,  and  only 
asked  the  same  in  return.  The  terms  he  insisted  on 
could  not  be  very  interesting  to  him  :  it  was  possible 
the  Tunissian  merchants  will  never  send  goods  to 
America,  and  probable  iheir  vessels  would  never  go 
there  ;  it  could  not  therefore  effect  his  subjects. 

"  True,"  said  he,  '•  my  subjects  have  never  yet 
been  to  America ;  but  wiiy  do  you  hence  conclude  they 
never  will  ?"  Because  they  have  no  intercourse  with 
us,  their  interest  does  not  appear  to  promote  it,  and, 
if  it  did,  they  do  not  know  the  way.  *•  Hitherto,''' 
said  he,  "  they  have  not  known  the  way  ;  but  man- 
kind are  now  becoming  more  enlightened  and  more 
enterprizing,  and  I  hope  ere  long  to  have  many  ves- 
sels go  there." 

This  we  believed  was  not  probal)le ;  but,  if  it 
were,  it  would  not  alter  the  case  ;  no  reason  liad 
been  advanced,  wliy  the  Tunissians  should  be  ad- 
mitted to  privileges  not  granted  to  other  nations,  e- 
ven  the  most  favored  ;  the  idea  might  at  once  be  a- 
bandoned  ;  it  could  not  be  admitted,  if  war  should 
be  the  consequence  ;  we  Avere  prepared  for  this  e- 
vent ;  and  although  it  would  place  both  him  and  us 
in  an  awkward  situation,  to  be  destroying  each  oth- 
er at  the  same  time  that  our  arms  should  be  united  a- 
gainst  a  common  enemy,  this,  nevertheless,  would  be 
preferable  to  the  concessions  he  demanded.  But 
because  mankind  are  placed  on  dijQTerent  parts  of  the 
globe,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce  contrasting  in- 
terests, they  should  not,  on  every  trifling  occas  on, 
make  this  destructive  appeal  :  they  should   ratner, 


76  LIFE    OF 

like  members  of  tlic  same  great  family^  study  a  gen- 
eral good,  even  at  the  expense  of  individual  interest. 
^''  True/*'  said  lie,  ^»  but  this  will  never  be  the  case, 
so  long  as  there  are  great  and  small  among  men.  I 
have,  however,  no  intention  of  a  w  ar  with  the  United 
States  ;  if  so  I  should  not  have  permitted  their  col- 
ors to  be  hoisted,  although  I  might  have  found  occa- 
sion in  the  failure  of  your  government  to  forward  the 
regalia.'' 

VYe  aslf  ed  him  if  any  inducement  would  prevail  on 
him  to  make  the  alterations  we  demanded  in  the 
treaty.  He  answered,  '^  No  :  I  will  agree  to  any 
thing  you  please,  which  shall  be  reciprocal ;  but  I 
tell  you  as  you  have  told  me,  you  may  as  well  aban- 
don your  terms.''  He  then  proposed  the  following 
substitute  in  substance. 

''  The  citizens  and  inhabitants  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  shall  have  liberty  to  enter  all  the 
ports  of  the  kingdom  of  Tunis,  and  freely  trade,  on 
paying  a  duty  which  sliall  countervail  the  duty  paid 
by  Tunissirai  merchants,  in  the  ports  of  the  United 
States,  allowing  nine  months  for  obtaining  the  prop- 
''er  information  ;  mean  time,  the  Americans  shall  pay 
three  per  cent  only,  in  the  Tunissian  ports.  In  like 
marnier,  the  subjects  and  inhabitants  of  the  kingdom 
of  Tunis  shall  have  free  commerce  in  all  the  ports  of 
the  United  States,  on  paying  the  duty  usually  paid 
by  the  most  favored  nation." 

"  Send  this,"  said  he^  ^*  to  your  government ;  if 
they  do  not  like  it,  tliey  may  send  it  back." 

We  returned  to  the  eleventh  article,  went  over  the 
ground  of  yesterday  ;  insisted  on  a  mutual  salute, 
we  paying  the  expense  of  the  salute  in  his  ports,  he 
in  ours  :  rejected.  We  told  him,  if  he  calculated  on 
making  a  speculation  by  this  article,  he  was  in  an 
error  ;  he  would  not  get  a  cartridge  by  it  in  an  hun- 
dred years  :  no  American  Consul  will  ever  demand 
a  salute.  Yet  we  Avere  unwilling  to  dispense  with 
ihis  .friendly  compliment,  if  it  could  be  exchanged 
pii  friendly  terms,     Have  you^  we  interrogated,  an 


GEN,    EATOX.  1^ 

article  like  this,  in  any  existing  treaty,  with  any  nia,- 
tion  on  earth  ?  Why  should  you  wish  to  impose  on  us 
this  humiliating  discrimination  ?  Have  we  been  more 
hostile  to  your  interests,  or  less  faithful  to  our  en- 
gagements ?  Have  we  not  at  great  expense  aimed  at 
a  friendly  intercourse  with  you  ;  and  have  you  not, 
by  accepting  our  presents,  seduced  us  to  believe  you 
were  candidly  disposed  to  treat  with  us  on  friendly 
and  honorable  terms  ? 

"  As  to  existing  treaties,  '^  said  he,  '*  they  were 
made  by  my  predecessors,  who  were  more  allured 
by  a  gold  watcli  or  a  diamond  ring,  than  by  maga- 
zines of  ammunition  and  arsenals.  I  am  not  so 
much  enamored  with  toys.  /  am  now  making  a 
treaty  for  myself.  Ammunition  I*  must  have.  You 
make  powder,  and  can,  without  mucli  inconvenience, 
make  this  small  compliment  to  my  necessities.  Your 
o;ood  faith  I  do  not  doubt ;  but  jouv  f  resents  have 
been  trifling." 

We  answered,  ^  we  make  powder  ;  but  not  enough 
for  our  own  consumption.  We  import  from  Kurope 
much  more  than  we  manufacture  ;  and  what  we 
make,  comes  as  dear  to  us  as  what  we  import,  be- 
cause we  import  the  ingredients  ;  saltpetre  from  the 
V  vast  distance  of  the  East  Indies,  and  sulphur  from 
Saxony,' 

He  remained  inflexible.  The  article  was  agreed 
upon  as  follows. 

^^  When  a  vessel  of  war  of  one  of  the  parties  shall 
enter  a  port  of  the  other,  and  demand  to  be  salut- 
ed, there  shall  be  paid  one  barrel  of  powder  for  each 
gun  demanded  for  the  salute  :  but  if  the  demand  be 
not  made  by  the  Consul  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States,  or  by  the  Commandant  of  the  vessel  on  the 
part  of  the  kingdom  of  Tunis,  no  salute  shall  be  giv- 
en, nor  payment  demanded  for  the  salute." 

We  again  proposed  to  send  forward  a  cruiser  in 
lieu  of  the  stores  stipulated.  He  said  one  cruiser 
would  not  be  enough.  "^  I  have  a  head,"  said  he, 
'^  you  cannot  over  reach  me/'     We  are  well  con- 


78  LIFE   0F 

vineed  of  that.  '^  But/'  continued  he,  "  if  you  act 
politically,  you  will  make  me  a  compliment  of  a 
cruiser  in  addition  to  the  stipulated  regalia."  We 
told  him  we  should  think  of  being  generous,  after  we 
found  the  ability  of  being  just.  We  should  honestly 
give  him  whatever  we  agreed  to  give.  ^"^  I  do  not 
suppose/'  said  he,  ^'  you  will  study  to  cheat  me  ; 
this  is  a  characteristic  of  low  life ;  but  I  find  you 
closely  attached  to  your  interest  :  so  we  all  are." 

We  retired  to  the  Sapitapa's  apartment,  where  the 
alterations  were  inserted  in  the  original. 

The  Sapitapa  took  this  opportunity  to  demand  a 
present  for  the  Bey.  Said,  he  himself,  and  all  the 
great  men  had  received  the  customary  presents  on 
raising  the  flag  :  but  the  Bey  had  received  nothing  : 
it  was  a  custom  of  all  other  nations.  We  told  him 
we  perfectly  recollected  hearing  the  Bey  himself  say 
but  a  few  days  since,  that  he  was  not  a  pauper  ;  but 
had  money  to  spare.  It  was  very  remarkable  that 
he  should  so  soon  become  a  beggar  :  but,  if  he  found 
any  thing  in  the  treaty  which  imposed  the  obligation, 
we  were  ready  to  pay  it.  As  to  the  custom  of  all 
other  nations,  we  chose  to  be  singular  in  this  in- 
stance :  we  were  sorry,  however,  the  Bey  had  so 
soon  forgotten  he  had  but  a  short  time  since  received 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  a  present  from  the  United 
States.  "  Fifty  thousand  dollars,"'  said  he,  "  is  noth- 
ing. The  Spaniards  gave  one  hundred  thousand  for 
the  peace  ;  and  very  valuable  presents  on  hoisting 
the  flag." 

The  Spaniards  have  mines  of  gold  and  silver  : 
they  dig  them  in  mass  from  the  bosom  of  the  earth  : 
we  get  our  cash  in  half  pence,  by  laboring  on  its  sur- 
face. 

^^  You  are  however,"  said  he,  ^^  a  strong  and  eu- 
terprizing  people,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Span- 
ish mines  :  these  will  most  probably  shortly  fall  into 
your  hands." 

When  this  happens,  we  will  make  the  Bey  a  pres- 
ent. 


GEN-    EATON.  79 

^'  But/'  continued  he,  '^  it  was  not  fear  which  in- 
duced the  Spaniards  to  make  these  presents  :  they 
had  fleets  at  sea,  to  protect  their  commerce  :  it  was  a 
manly  expression  of  friendship."  We  told  him,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  Spaniards  had  an  extensive  coast 
exposed  to  the  ravages  of  the  Tunissian  Corsairs  ; 
and  were  constantly  under  apprehensions  of  having 
their  defenceless  women  and  children  taken  into 
captivity,  and  enslaved  :  this  induced  their  manly 
expression  offriendshijj.  We  had  no  fears  of  this 
kind.  Our  coast  was  not  only  far  off,  but  defended 
by  freemen.  Every  man  had  arms  in  his  hands  al- 
ways prepared  for  defence  ;  and  if  an  assault  should 
be  made  upon  them,  the  assailants  would  find  more 
bayonets  than  booty. 

The  Sapitapa  appeared  irritated  :  got  up  and 
went  into  the  Bey's  chamber  :  returned  and  insisted 
on  the  present.  We  refused  :  but  said  we  would 
consult  our  government. 

Monday  was  proposed  to  come  for  the  treaty. 
We  left  him  to  recover  his  temper. 

Monday,  25thj  eleven,  A.  M.  at  the  palace.  De- 
livered the  Consular  presents.  The  Bey  engaged 
with  his  Generals  :  desired  to  call  tomorrow. 

Tuesday,  2Qth  March,  eleven,  A.  M.  at  the  palace. 
The  treaty  as  amended,  was  delivered  us  by  the 
Bey,  in  Turkish. 

We  retired  into  the  Sapitapa's  room.  He  renew-> 
ed  the  demand  of  a  present  for  the  Bey  :  repeated 
that  it  was  the  custom  of  all  nations,  and  made  fre- 
quent reference  to  the  Spaniards. 

We  told  him  the  Bey  had  not  admitted  us  to  the 
privileges  of  all  other  nations  ;  he  ought  not  there- 
fore, to  expect  the  same  usages  from  us.  He  had 
refused  us  a  salute,  except  on  terms  repugnant  both 
to  our  honor  and  our  interest.  He  had  extorted 
from  us  the  concession  of  suffering  our  merchantmen 
to  be  pressed  into  his  service.  And  he  has  exacted 
threefold  the  duty  in  his  ports,  which  he  had  received 


So  Lit'K   Ol* 

from  any  other  nation.  He  had  therefore  less  pretext 
to  claim  of  us  the  same  considerations.  At  any  rate, 
we  should  make  no  stipulation  of  this  kind.  The 
nogociation  was  closed.  This  was  entering  upon  a 
new  negociation  which  neither  our  instructions  nor 
inclination  led  us  to  enter  upon. 

Mr.  Famin  said  he  had  intimated  the  thing  to  Mr. 
Barlow,    who   had     instructed    him     to   make  the 
necessary   provision  to   meet  this  demand.  Doubt- 
ed.    He  said  he   had  the  letter.     We  told   him  he 
had  mentioned  this  circumstance  in  the  palace  on 
Saturday,  and  promised  to  produce   the   document. 
Two  days  had  elapsed  but  he  had  omitted   it.     We 
believed  nothing  of  this   was  ever  intimated  to  our 
government :  and   we    were    well  persuaded  they 
would  not  yield  to  it.     "  Then/'  said  the  Sapitapa, 
"  you  may   write  your  government  that  you  have  a 
truce  but  not  a  peace  with   Tunis.     We  told  him, 
if  peace  depended  on   admitting  these   claims,   we 
were  ready  to  make  the  communication  he  dictated. 
He  blustered  :  threv/  down  his  papers  in  an  aifected 
rage :  used  menace  :  come  again  to  the  subject,  and 
produced  a  note,  containing  an  invoice  of  the  articles 
given  by  Spain.     We  refused  to  see  it.     He  urged 
it  upon  us.     We  said  the   Bey  had  no  longer   ago 
than  yesterday,   received   a  present.     He  said  that 
was  a  co7?.^M/ar  present,  and  had   no   relation  to  the 
usages  of  raising  the  flag.     Asked  if  we  wanted  a 
long  peace.     Said,  if  we  did,   it  must  be  on  liberal 
terms.     We  answered,  that  we  expected  the  peace 
would  continue  as  long  as  it  would  be  found  conven- 
ient :  the  sapie,  whether  we  paid  more   or  less.     He 
blustered  again,  and  again  menaced  us  with  war,  in 
case  the  demand  was  not  complied  with.     We  took 
the  note,   told  him  we  would  forward  it  to  our  gov- 
ernment, but  assured  him   they  would  pay  no  atten 
lion  to  it. 

In  tliis  affair,  M.  Famin  has  betrayed  his  real 
character.  He  is  manifestly  in  the  interest  of  the 
court,  and  prepared  to  countenance  all  their  pr(>jecti 


GEN.    EATON.  §1 

of  plunder  :  but  this  may  arise  as  much  from  a  spirit 
of  dependence  as  selfishness. 

Wednesday.  27th.  Received  the  following  note 
from  the  Secretary  of  State^  dictated  by  tlie  Sapi- 
tapa. 

"  I  write  to  you  in  the  name  of  Sidi  Joseph,  so 
far  as  relates  to  my  subject.  Sidi  Joseph  says  it  is 
the  usance  of  this  regency,  wlien  tlie  articles  are 
changed,  to  give  the  customary  usances  to  the  Secre- 
tary and  to  the  Sapitapa  :  and  also,  if  it  is  written 
out  an  hundred  times ^  it  is  necessary  to  give  the 
same  usance  as  at  the  first  time. 

I  have  the  honor,  8Cc. 

fSignedJ  M.  STTJ^C.V' 

Dated  at  the  jjalace,  27th  March. 

Friday,  29th  March.  Wrote  the  Sapitapa  as  fol- 
lows. ^  Day  before  yesterday  I  received  a  note 
from  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Stinca,'^informing  me  that  so 
often  as  a  treaty  is  written  out  or  altered,  the  cus- 
tomary presents  are  given  to  the  keeper  of  the  seal 
and  the  Secretary.  It  would  be  agreeable  to  me  to 
be  informed  what  these  presents  are.  I  hope  it  will 
be  considered  t}iat  the  treaty,  till  now.  could  never 
be  considered  complete  ;  and  that  the  presents  al- 
ready g  iven  have  been  in  anticipation  of  this  event. 
This  being  the  case,  the  demand  for  presents  does 
not  bear  witli  it  that  appearance  of  propriety,  as  it 
would  in  case  there  had  been  a  rupture  between  ihe 
parties,  and  the  treaty  renewed.  I  am,  at  present,  un- 
prepared to  meet  a  demand  of  this  nature  :  but  if  I 
find  the  custom  established  and  formed  in  equity, 
provision  shall  be  made  for  it.  Candor  and  duty, 
demand  of  me  however,  to  declare,  that  I  can  in  no 
case  of  this  kind,  resort  to  the  Spanish  nation  for 
precedent  to  govern  my  conduct  :  If  the  United 
States  should  emerge  from  their  present  distressed 
situation,  they  may  perhaps  become  enabled  to  adopt 
the  usages  of  the  Danish  and  Swedish  nations, 

lam.  8Cc.^ 

a 


8^  LIFE    OF 

April  ist.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the 
answer  of  the  Secretary,  dated  April  1st. 

^^  Sidi  Joseph  says  that  your  treaty  has  been  al- 
ready ratified  in  the  manner  of  all  other  nations  who 
are  our  friends.  Since  you  altered  and  retrenched 
some  of  i]\Q,  articles,  and  the  treaty  is  changed^  he  re- 
quires of  you  his  usance,  and  that  of  the  Secretary, 
as  all  other  nations  have  given.  Sidi  Joseph  says 
he  is  much  surprized  at  the  import  of  your  letter  of 
29th  ult.  ^'  That  you  could  not  regulate  your  con- 
duct by  the  example  of  tlie  Spanish  nation  ;  and  if  it 
were  convenient  to  the  situation  of  the  United  States 
you  probably  would  regulate  yourself  by  the  usages 
of  the  Danish  and  Swedish  nations.*'  While  this 
was  received,  the  Bey  had  ridden  out.  Sidi  Joseph 
immediately  mounted,  went  to  our  Lord  the  Bey,  and 
told  him  what  you  had  written.  The  Bey  told  him 
to  write  to  you  tliat  he  would  have  his  present  ac- 
cording to  the  note  which  you,  gentlemen,  copied  in 
the  presence  of  Sidi  Joseph  :  and  more,  that  his 
Excellency  would  have  it  a  little  better  than  what 
was  contained  in  the  note  you,  gentlemen,  took. 
His  Excellency  the  Bey  likewise  said,  if  you  were 
not  contented  with  the  proposals  he  made  to  you  to 
communicate  to  your  court,  you  might  arrest  the  brig, 
call  at  the  palace  and  speak  witli  his  Excellency  the 
Bey,  and  he  will  give  you  more  precise  terms  to 
communicate  to  your  government. 

fSignedJ     STIJK^CA.'' 

I  returned  the  following  note  to  the  Sapitapa.  *  I 
have  received  your  letter  of  this  morning.  Tomor- 
row at  ten  iu  the  morning  I  will  have  the  pleasure  to 
wait  on  his  Excellency  the  Bey.' 

This  morning,  Mr.  Cathcart  embarked  for  Tripa- 
li,  in  the   Sophia. 

Tuesday,  2d,  Six,  A.  M.  The  brig  sailed  with  a 
fair  wind. 

At  ten  I  waited  on  the  Bey  with  additional  pres- 
ents ;  among  them  six  pieces  of  cloth  of  different  col- 
ors, which  were  divided  between  him  and  the  Sapi- 
tapa,    To    these  he  affected  perfect    indifferencCo 


GEN.    EATOK.  83 

Asked    in  an   air  of  importance  wlij  the   brig  had 
sailed,  contrary  to  the  order  contained  in  liis  note  of 
yesterday.     I  told  him  the  affairs  of  my  nation  re- 
quired it.     He  showed  disgust  at  the  import  of  my 
note  of  the  29th  ult.     I  told  him   our  engagements 
must  be  dictated  by  our  abilities  to  fuMl  them  :  hoped 
he   would  consider   that   America  is  distressed   bv 
war  :  thai  the  articles  he  demanded,  were  to  be  pro- 
cured from  the  countries    only,  with  whom  the  war 
forbade  an  intercourse  ;  and  it  was  therefore  impos- 
sible  to  accede  to  his  demand.     He  said  he  Avould 
have  the  present*demanded,     I  told  him  our  govern- 
ment must  be  consulted.     ^^  If  you  will  not  agree  to 
it/^  said  he,  "  you  may    go  home  and  consider  void 
all  wlwcli  has  hitherto  been  done."     1  answered,  if 
there  was  no  other  alternative,  I  would  go.     "  ^  ery 
well,"  said  he,  "  I  give  you  ten  days  to  consider  on 
the  subject  ;  and,  if  you  continue  in  this  present  res- 
olution, you  may  embark  in  the  brig,  on  her  return 
from  Tripoli,  and  go  home."     Very  well !  He  arose 
from   his   Sofa  in  a   rage  ;  and   left  the   chamber 
without  ceremony.    The  Sapitapa  remained.     "  Are 
not  these  articles  manufactured  in  America  ?"     ^  No, 
we  have  neither  the  materials  nor  the  manufacturers 
in  America.'     He  appeared  surprised.     ^^  Is  not  A- 
merica   an  old  country  ?  ^  No  ;  it   is   not  yet   two 
hundred   years  since  the  first   effectual  settlements 
w^ere  made  in   the  United  States.'     '•   But  the  Bey 
must  have  his  present :  it  is  indispensable:"     '•  If  the 
Bey  be  sincere  in  his  pacific  expressions,  he  will  not 
at  this  period  insist  on  a  present  which  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  procure,  and  leave  no  alternative  but  war.'     i 
hoped  he   would  use  his   friendly  influence  to  direct 
the  Bey  from  his  partinaeity.     He  made  no   answer. 
I  left  him  without  ceremony  i  but  ordered  my  inter- 
preter to  leave  with  him  a  douceur  which  I  had  pro- 
vided for  the   purpose.     On   lea\'ing  the  court,   a 
number  of  applications  were  made  for  money  for  pet- 
it officers  and  principal  slaves  of  the  palace,  which 
were  said  to  be  usages  of  all  other  nations^  oa  a  new 
C^onsul's  beine:  received. 


84  LIFE    OF 

Among  other  questions  of  the  Sapiiapa  hrelavaiit 
to  this  subject,  one  was,  what  faith  the  Jlmevicans 
held.  I  told  him  we  believed  in  God,  Almighty,  the 
reward  of  justice,  and  the  punishment  of  Fraud. 
"  I  thought,"  said  he,  ^'^  you  were  not  very  supersti- 
tious Christians  !"  The  Tunissians  have  a  con- 
temptible opinion  of  Christians  :  and  well  they  may  : 
for  those  of  them  with  whom  tliey  have  had  most 
acquaintance,  have  lapsed  from  the  dignity  of  Chris- 
tianity, to  unmeaning  ceremony,  and  shameful  effem- 
inacy. 

Wednesday,  Sd.  Waited  on  Mustapha  Coggea, 
the  Prime  Minister,  an  old  man  who  had  been  very 
»  influential,  but  had  lost  his  teeth.  Made  him  an  ad- 
ditional present  of  two  pieces  of  cloth.  He  express- 
ed a  sense  of  obligation,  and  very  modestly  told  my 
interpreter  that,  if  he  were  not  ashamed  to  do  it,  he 
^woidd give  me  hade  the  jjresent. 

The  Sapitapa  sent  for  me,  and  renewed,  in  his  a- 
partment,  the  subject  of  the  Bey's  present  :  but  ap- 
peared in  better  temper  tlian  yesterday  :  the  media- 
tor, left  with  him,  had,  perhaps,  softened  his  obdu- 
racy. He  reminded  me  however,  that,  during  the 
discussion  of  the  articles  of  the  treaty,  I  Jiad  intimat- 
ed to  him,  that  the  Bey  might  expect  something  very 
handsome,  in  case  he  aumitted  the  alteration  ;  that, 
having  obtained  ray  object,  it  seemed  I  had  forgotten 
the  obligation,  or  was  disposed  to  evade  it.  I  an- 
swered him  I  should  evade  im  obligation  fairly 
contracted  :  thought  the  Bey  had  mistaken  the  real 
purport  of  my  letter,  or  1  had  not  communicated  iny 
meaning  intelligibly.  It  went  only  to  assure  him 
that  the  United  States  will  not  adopt  the  example  of 
the  Spaniards  ;  and  for  a  very  good  reason  ;  they 
had  not  the  ability.  Why  should  we  promise  rega- 
lia which  our  country  did  not  produce  ?  It  were  bet- 
ter to  deal  thus  plainly  with  him,  than  to  flatter  him 
to  expect  jewels  which  might  never  be  in  our  power 
to  procure.  It  was  true,  as  I  told  him  yesterday,  we 
juj^d  neither  gold  nor  diamonds  in  America,  nor  any 


GEN.    EATON.  85 

body  who  knows  how  to  work  them.  ^'  What,  are 
you/'  said  he,  "  a  parcel  of  countrymen,  shepherds 
and  rustics  ?"  ^  Very  much  so.'  "  But  you  build 
ships  ?''  '  Yes.'  ''  Of  what  timber  ?"  *  The  best.' 
'^  And  handsome  ?"  '  Yes.'  "  Well,  suppose  you 
agree  to  make  the  Bey  a  present  of  a  small,  hand- 
some cruiser  ?"  '^  The  Bey  has  given  me  ten  days  to 
consider  on  his  fust  proposal.  In  this  time  I  will 
consider  this  proposal.  Am  glad  however,  you  .are 
disposed  at  length  to  modify  the  demand.  When 
the  brig  returns,  I  will  wait  on  the  Bey  with  an  an- 
swer.' ^'  And  I,"  said  he,  "  mean  time,  will  en- 
deavor to  facilitate  the  measure." 

It  is  hard  to  negociate  w  here  the  terms  are  wholly 
exparte.     The  Barbary  courts    are  indulged  in  the 
habits  of  dictating  their  own   terms  of  ncgociation. 
Even  the  English,   as  the   Consul  himself  informed 
me,  on  his  arrival  and  reception  here,  had  furnished 
liim  a  present  in   cash  and  other  articles  valued  in 
England    at  seventeen   thousand  pounds    sterling. 
But  Tunis  trembles  at  the  voice  of  England.     This 
then  must  be  a  political  intrigue  of  England  to  em- 
barrass the  other  mercantile  Christian  nations  ;  and 
it  has  the  effect.     To   the  United   States,  they  be- 
lieve they  can  dictate  terms.     Why  should  tliey  not  ? 
Or   why  should  they  believe  it  will  ever  be  other- 
wise ?  They  have  seen  nothing  in  America  to  con- 
trovert this  opinion.     And  all  our  talk  of  resistance, 
and  reprisal,  they  view  as  the  swaggering  of  a  brag- 
adocio.     They  are  at  present  seriously  concerned, 
through  fear  that  the  English  and  Americans  arc  in 
offensive  and  defensive  alliance.     The  report  is  cur- 
rent, and  I  have  taken  occasion  to  cherish  it  by  be- 
ing seen  frequently  Avith  the  British  Consul,  dining 
with  him,  and  holding  secret  intercourse.     But  what- 
ever stratagem  may  be  used  to  aid  our  measures,  it  is 
certain,  that  there   is  no  access  to  the   permanent 
friendship   of  these  states,  without  paving  the  way 
with  gold  or  cannon  balls  ;  and  the  proper  question 
is,  which  method  is  preferable.     So  long   as  they 


86  LIFE    OF 

liold  their  own  terms,  no  estimate  can  he  made  of 
the  expense  of  maintaining  a  peace.  They  are  un- 
der no  restraints  of  lionor  nor  honesty.  There  is  not 
a  scoundrel  among  them,  from  the  prince  to  tlie  mu- 
leteer, who  will  not  beg  and  steal.  Yet,  when  I 
proposed  to  the  Sapitapa  to  day  to  substitute  money 
in  lieu  of  the  present,  he  said  the  Bey  had  too  high  a 
sense  of  honor  to  receive  a  bribe  :  he  would  receive 
a  present  ;  but  it  would  affront  him  to  offer  him 
money. 

Saturday,  6th.  Th«  prime  minister,  Mustapha^ 
Coggea,  returned  his  present  to  me  with  a  message 
that  he  was  not  accustomed  to  receiving  presents  in- 
ferior in  value  to  the  Sapitapa,  who  was  inferior  to 
him  in  rank,  being  second  minister.  He  believed  I 
had  been  misled  by  the  advice  o-f  the  Jew  s  in  the 
distribution  I  had  made  of  my  presents.  If  he  could 
not  have  an  equivalent  to  the  Sapitapa,  he  would 
have  nothing.  The  messenger  said  the  prime  minis- 
ter w  as  very  angry  ;  but  intimated  that  the  present, 
with  some  small  additions,  might  go  down  and  re- 
move his  bile.  When  I  was  w  ith  him  on  Wednes- 
day, he  did  not  discover  any  discontent.  He 
probably  did  not  then  know  what  the  Sapitapa  had 
received. 

Sunday,  yth.  A  demand  came  from  the  Admiral 
for  a  gold  headed  cane,  a  gold  watch  and  chain,  and 
twelve  pieces  of  cloth  :  the  usance  on  a  new  Con- 
sul's being  received.     Laid  on  the  table. 

A  demand  came  from  the  Aga  of  the  Goulette  for 
his  usance  on  the  occasion  of  the  first  vessel  of  war 
coming  to  anchor  in  the  bay.  To  this  I  answered 
that  I  icovM  make  him  a  jwesent  of  a  copy  of  the 
treaty. 

Sunday,  14///,  8,  A.  M.  at  the  Palace.  The  Sapi- 
tapa informed  me  that  the  Bey  had  rejected  the  pro- 
posal of  a  small  cruiser  in  lieu  of  the  present  in 
jewels. 

I  told  him^  notwithstanding  the  Bey  had  refused 
to   listen  to  a   cash  proposition,,  I  would   once  more 


GEN.    EATON.  87 

make  him  a  tender,  and  proposed  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars in  full  of  all  demands.  He  said  the  maritime 
and  military  regalia  were  very  rich  ;  that  they 
were  peculiarly  necessary  at  this  period  ;  and  if  I 
would  offer  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars 
the  Bey  would  not  accept  it. 

I  recapitulated  the  expense  already  incurred  in  our 
negociation  with  this  Regency  ;  and  shewed  him 
Famines  general  account  and  list  of  presents.  He 
said  it  was  a  trifle  ;  and  again  mentioned  the  jewels. 
I  observed  it  was  very  unaccountable  the  Bey  should 
persevere  in  his  demand  of  articles  which  the  war 
rendered  it  impossible  to  procoure.  "  Get  them  in 
England/'  said  he  ;  ^*  we  like  the  English  manu- 
factures much  better  than  the  French  and  Spanish." 
I  said  it  was  still  more  extraordinary  that  the  Bey 
should  demand  of  the  United  States  threefold  the 
duties  of  all  other  nations  ;  refuse  the  salute  which 
he  gave  all  other  nations  ;  compel  an  obligation  on 
us  to  suffer  our  merchantmen  to  be  pressed  into  his 
service  ;  and  yet  demand  of  us  the  usages  of  the 
richest  and  most  favored  nation  on  earth.  He  repeat- 
ed that  the  service  very  probably  would  never  be  re- 
quired. Be  this  as  it  may,  the  Bey  would  have  the 
presents.  He  now  demanded  for  himself  a  double 
barrelled  gun  and  a  gold  chain  to  a  Avatch  ;  said  the 
American  Agent  had  promised  the  gun,  and  he  be- 
lieved had  sent  for  it.  I  told  him  plainly  the  Unit- 
ed States  would  find  it  cheaper  and  better  policy  to 
send  a  force  into  these  seas  to  defend  their  commerce^ 
than  to  yield  to  these  accumulated  demands.  ^^  Very 
well ;"  said  he. 

He  reported  to  the  Bey.  In  a  few  minutes  I  was 
introduced  to  his  apartment.  A  few  words  passed 
between  us  of  the  tenor  of  the  foregoing.  He  got  in- 
to a  passion  :  arose  and  left  the  hall  :  but  turned, 
going  out,  and  said,  '*  consult  your  government.  I 
give  them  six  months  to  give  me  an  answer,  and  to 
send  the  presents.  If  they  come  in  that  time,  well  z 
if  not,  take  down  your  flag  atid  go  home."' 


8S  LIFE   OT 

Thus,  sir,  I  have  given  a  faithful  but  a  tedious  de- 
tail of  our  negociation.  The  United  States  sat  out 
wrongly  ;  and  have  proceeded  so.  Too  many  con- 
cessions iiave  been  made  to  Algiers.  There  is  but 
one  language  which  can  be  held  to  tliese  people  ; 
and  this  is  terror.  If  my  own  feelings  were  to  dic- 
tate the  answer  to  the  demands  submitted,  it  would 
be  a  solemn  one.  But  w4iether  good  policy  would 
dictate  tliis  is  the  question.  We  should  get  little, 
and  might  lose  much.  At  all  events  we  should  have 
to  buy  a  peace  at  last,  and  redeem  our  captives,  un- 
less we  could  effect  the  intire  destiiiction  of  the  Re- 
gency, or  convince  them  of  our  ability  to  do  it.  Our 
affairs  are  critically  circumstanced.  Much  mischief 
is  meditated  by  our  cidevant  agent.  I  am  assured 
he  has  this  day  formally  protested  to  the  Bey  against 
the  United  States  establishing  another  Consul  here 
and  taking  the  bread  out  of  his  own  mouth  :  audi 
should  not  be  surprised  to  have  an  opportunity  to 
hand  my  dispatches  to  the  department  of  State. 

I  have  not  yet  made  great  sacrifices,  nor  other 
than  unavoidable  ;  but  I  expect  to  be  compelled  to 
it,  except  something  at  present  unforeseen,  shall 
operate  to  prevent  it.  I  will  not  however  be  bullied 
into  the  measure.  When  I  find  it  necessary  I  will 
soften  my  tone  with  this  government  :  but  this  will 
be  my  dernier.  The  language  of  independence  has 
never  been  spoken  by  our  agent.  If  he  were  receiv- 
ed as  the  representative,  as  well  as  the  agent  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  states,  well  may  we  be 
considered  fit  for  slaves.  I  am  persuaded  he  has  nev- 
er resisted  any  demand  ;  and  am  of  opinion  he  has 
shared  the  benefits  of  his  own  concessions.  My  in- 
verted opinion  of  this  Frenchman  may  seem  unac- 
countable. His  civilities  to  me  were  the  upper  dress 
of  hypocrisy. 

I  believe  it  would  have  a  good  effect  to  show  force 
m  these  seas,  if  it  can  be  spared  from  our  own 
coasts  ;  if  it  be  only  to  convince  these  pirates  that  Ave 
are  npt  Italians.    Jf  the  present  of  jewels  be  resisted, 


GfiN.    EATOX\  S9 

as  I  devoutly  pray  it  may,  it  will  be  absolutely  nec- 
essary, or  the  other  regalia  will  not  be  received. 
Denmark  furnishes  a  recent  example  of  this  nature. 
Policy  forbids  the  Tunissians  going  to  war  with  the 
United  States  at  present.  So  long  as  this  continues 
to  be  the  case,  we  are  not  in  much  danger  :  but  no 
sense  of  justice  w  ould  prevent  this  event  if  occasion 
should  suit.  It  is  probable  further  forbearance  may 
be  obtained,  and  must,  from  the  impossibility  of  re- 
turning the  answer  within  the  time  ;  but  it  is  hoped 
too  much  may  not  be  presumed  on  this  probability. 
The  United  States  have  no  messenger  whom  I  would 
greet  with  so  much  cordiality  with  the  answer  a« 
Sommodore  Barry. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain^ 

With  perfect  respect. 
Sir,  your  most  obedient 

very  humble  servant y 
WILLIAM  EATOX 
J^pril  i  ^. 
honorable  Secretary 
,     of  the  United  States, 

The  instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  state,  Mr^ 
Pickering,  to  Mr.  Eaton,  were  very  ample,  direct- 
ing him  not  only  with  regard  to  the  more  immediate 
duties  of  a  Consul,  but  requiring  his  attention  to  the 
military  and  naval  force,  manufacturer,  commerce, 
laws,  policy,  &c.  of  Tunis  and  the  other  Barbary 
powers.  The  following,  omitting  unimportant  re- 
marks, conveys  much  itiformation  on  these  subjects. 

Tunis,  i5th  June,  1799. 
Sir, 

The  commerce  of  Tunis  is  principally  monopoliz- 
ed by  the  Jews.  The  hides  and  wax  of  the  whole 
kingdom,  which  are  considerable  articles  of  exporta- 
tion, are  farmed  by  a  compauv  of  merchants,  compos- 

13         ' 


©9  LlFli    OF 

ed  principally  of  Jews,  called  Gioruata  ;  for  whiek 
they  pay  the  Bey,  annually,  sixty  thousand  piasters, 
equal  to  seventeen  thousand  one  hundred  and  forty 
two  dollars.  The  subjects  are  compelled  to  sell 
th'i  hides  to  this  company  at  eleven  cents  each,  and 
wax  at  thirty  two  dollars  per  quintal.  The  Giorua- 
ta have  had  a  factory  established  at  Leghorn,  whith- 
er these  raw  materials  were  exported,  till  the  opera- 
tions of  the  French  in  Italy,  since  which  this  factory 
is  moved  to  Messina.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  thou- 
sand hides,  and  four  hundred  quintals  of  wax,  are 
supposed  to  enter  into  the  ordinary  annual  trade  of 
this  eompany.  Revenue  produced  to  the  Bey. 
dols.  17, 142,*^  85. 

The  other  and  more  considerable  articles  of  ex- 
portation are  oil,  wheat  and  barley.  Of  these,  the 
Bey  receives  tithes.  One  hundred  and  thirty  thou- 
sand metars  of  oil,  of  six  gallons  each,  are  supposed- 
to  be  annually  exported  to  Europe  and  Asia.  In 
addition  to  the  tithes,  the  Bey  receives  sixty  four 
cents  per  metar  for  a  tiskery,  (permission  to  ex- 
port.) The  oil  is  purchased,  at  about  twenty  eight 
cents  per  gallon,  the  average  price,  which,  w  ith  the 
tiskery,  amounts  to  something  less  than  thirty  nine 
cents  per  gallon.  According  to  this  calcuiation,  the 
annual  revenue  derived  from  this  article  is,  dols. 
78,520. 

The  exportation  of  wheat,  exclusive  of  the  tithe, 
is  supposed  to  l>e  three  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
bushels  annually.  Suppose  this  to  be  nine  tenths  of 
the  whole  annual  produce  of  the  country,  the  value 
of  the  tithe  in  w  heat  will  amount  to  thirty  eight 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighty  eight  dollars. 
For  a  tiskery  for  each  caffice  of  eleven  bushels,  the 
Bey  receives  ^ix  dollars,  amounting  to  one  hundred 
and  ninety  four  thousand,  four  hundred  and  eighty 
nine  dollars.  Upwards  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
vessels,  averaging  ninety  tons,  annually  load  with 
this  article.  And  the  revenue  produced,  aceordin 
^  the  above  calcultXtion,  is  dollars  223,377,  74. 


GEX.    EATON.  9i 

I  cannot  ascertain  the  quantity  of  barley  export- 
ed, and  duties  collected  ;  but,  supposing  it  to  be  half 
as  much  as  the  wheat,  the  revenue  arising  from  this 
article  would  lie  about  dollars,  70jOOO.  The  ex- 
portation of  beans  and  vetches  is  supposed  to  pro- 
duce about  dollars,  17jOOO. 

Some  ])eeves  and  sheep  are  expor^ed,  but  the 
quantity  is  inconsiderable  :  on  these  articles  howev- 
er duties  are  collected  by  giving  tiskeries. 

This  information  is  obtained  from  a  principal  He- 
brew merchant  in  this  city.  And,  although  it  may 
not  be  accurate,  it  raav  communicate  some  idea  of 
the  produce  and  internal  revenue   of  this  kingdom. 

The  principal  manufactures  of  the  kingdom,  are 
red  caps  and  sashes  ;  a  sample  of  the  former,  I  sent 
by  Capt.  Geddes,  of  which  great  quantities  are  ex- 
ported into  all  the  Turkish  dominions. 

The  manufactors  of  caps  import  annually  from 
Spain  three  thousand  quintals  of  fine  wool  :  and  the 
sash  manufactories  receive  annually  from  the  Morea, 
six  hundred  quintals  of  raw  silk.  These  ailicles 
pay  no  dutj%  This  is  a  peace  calculation.  The 
present  war  has  totally  deranged  the  commerce  ot 
this  kingdom.  Ragusa  is  at  present  the  carrier  for 
Tunis  ;  and  what  little  commerce  remains  to  them, 
centres  principally  at  Smyrna  and  other  ports  of  the 
Levant,  alon^  the  coast  of  Dalmatia  and  the   Morea. 

Muslins,  stuffs,  fine  cloths,  iron,  coffee,  sugar,  pep- 
per  and  spices  of  all  kinds,  bleached  wax  candles, 
cochineal,  dried  fislrand  lumber,  are  articles  of  im- 
portation much  wanted  and  which  would  command 
great  prices  in  cash,  at  least  three  hundred  per  cent 
more  than  in  America. 

[Mr.  Eaton  here  gives  a  list  of  the  marine  force 
of  Tunis ;  by  which  it  appears  that  the  Tunissian* 
then  possessed  ninety  four  armed  vessels,  nine  hun- 
dred and  twenty  eight  guns,  and  eighty  eight  swiv- 
els ;  the  whole  manned  by  upwards  of  eight  thou- 
ssand  men.^ 


9;^  •  LIFE    OF 

The  foregoing  list  and  annexed  schedule  exhibit 
in  a  summary  view,  the  most  correct  information  at- 
tainable of  the  naval  force  of  Tunis,  the  species  of 
armed  vessels,  the  number  of  their  gnus  and  men^ 
and  the  times  of  the  year  they  go  to  sea  :  also  the  in- 
crease of  the  navy  the  last  ten  years.  Mr.  Tulin, 
the  Swedish  Consul,  the  oldest  and  perhaps  best  in- 
formed in  the  kingdom,  informs  me  that,  twenty 
years  ago,  Tunis  could  send  out  but  nine  cruisers. 
it  may  not  be  improper  to  note  liere,  that  the  Bey  re- 
ceives tithes  of  all  prizes  brought  into  any  of  his 
ports  by  the  privateers  of  his  kingdom.  This,  in 
addition  to  the  tribute  of  re^^alia  from  Christian  na- 
tions, the  prizes  taken  by  the  corsairs  of  the  regen- 
cy, and  the  internal  duties  upon  commerce,  produce 
a  great  revenue.  But  these  sources  arc  failing.  But 
twenty  cruisers  have  gone  out  this  year. 

The  cruising  ground  of  the  corsairs  of  this  king- 
dom has  heretofore  been  in  the  vicinity  of  Corsica, 
Sardinia  and  Sicily,  on  the  coast  of  Genoa,  Tusca- 
ny, Naples,  Calabria,  and  in  the  entrance  of  the  A 
driatic  sea  ;  and  even  as  far  up  as  Venice.  But 
these  coasts,  having  fallen  under  the  protection  of 
the  belligerent  powers,  now  aiford  no  game.  Theii 
mode  of  attack  is  uniformly  boarding.  For  this, 
their  vessels  are  peculiarly  constructed.  Their  long 
latteen  yards  drop  on  board  the  enemy,  and  afford  a 
safe  and  easy  conveyance  for  the  men  who  man  them 
for  this  purpose  :  but  being  always  crouded  with 
men,  they  throw  them  in  from  *  11  points  of  the  rig- 
ging, and  from  all  quarters  of  the  decks  ;  having 
their  sa])res  grasped  between  their  teeth,  and  their 
loaded  pistols  in  their  belts,  that  they  may  have  tli^ 
free  use  of  their  hands  in  scaling  the  gunnels  or  net- 
ting of  their  enemy.  In  this  mode  of  attack  they 
are  very  active  and  very  desperate.  Taught  by 
revelation  that  war  with  the  Christians  will  guarantee 
the  salvation  of  their  souls,  and  finding  so  great  sec- 
ular advantages  in  the  observance  of  this  religions 
duty,  their  inducements  to  desperate   fighting  are 


GEN.    EATON.  93 

very  powerful.  Proper  defence  against  them  are 
higli  nettings  with  chains  sufficiently  strong  to  pre- 
vent their  being  cut  away  ;  buck  sliot  plentifully  ad- 
ministered from  muskets  or  blunderbusses  ;  and  lan- 
ces. But  it  is  always  best  to  keep  them  at  distance, 
that  advantage  may  be  taken  of  their  ignorance  at 
raanoeuvering. 

The  principal  naval  ports  are  Porto  Farina,  the 
Goulette,  Ifax,  Susa,  and  Biserte.  Porto  Farina  is 
the  rendezvous  for  vessels  of  war,  no  other  being 
permitted  to  lay  up  there.  It  is  situated  about  eight 
or  nine  leagues  N.  N.  W.  from  Tunis,  and  about 
six  or  eight  miles  W.  by  S.  from  tlie  western  point 
which  forms  the  bay  of  Tunis.  The  harbor  is  secur- 
ed bv  the  walls  and  batteries  of  the  town  of  tlie  same 
name,  forming  an  entrance  of  about  seven  feet  water 
for  the  admission  of  the  cruisers,  which  are  obliged 
to  anchor  under  the  batteries,  get  out  their  guns,  bal- 
last, provisions,  &c.  and  being  careened  on  tiieir  sides 
to  lessen  the  draft  of  water,  to  be  towed  in  by  a  spe- 
cies of  large  scows,  called  pontoons.  Vessels  of  any 
size  may  anchor  within  gun  shot  of  the  walls.  The 
town  is  said  to  contain  about  one  hundred  thousand 
inhabitants  ;  has  a  governor,  (Mahomet  Coggea)  anc^ 
police  ;  and  is  the  magazine  and  arsenal  of  the  naval 
and  military  stores  of  the  kingdom.  The  governor 
owns  the  most  cruisers  of  any  man  in  the  kingdom  j 
more  than  the  Regency. 

The  bay  of  Tunis  is  formed  by  capes  Fauna  or 
Plain  island,  and  Bon  ;  and  is  thirty  miles  deep. 
Tiie  harbor  at  the  Goulette,  nine  or  ten  miles  E.  by 
S.  from  1\inis,  is  an  immense  bason,  having  cape 
Carthage  (N.  E,  point  of  the  peninsula  of  the  ancient 
city)  on  its  west,  and  a  projection  of  the  main  land  a 
little  north  of  the  mouth  of  Bagrada,  so  noted  for 
Regulus's  serpent,  on  the  east.  It  is  defended  by 
an  enormous  stone   castle  feet  high,   mounting 

guns,  and  by  barbet  batteries  below  ;  under 
cover  of  which,  at  a  small  distance,  merchant  vessel^ 
jnay  ride  in  four  or  five    fathom  water.     At  a  little 


94?  LIFE    OF 

further  distance  vessels  of  i^ar  of  any  draft  liave 
good  anchoring  ground  in  water  from  six  to  twenty 
fathom.  It  is  a  safe  and  beautiful  harhor.  Within 
this  bason,  divider]  from  it  by  a  garter  of  land  about 
six  miles  in  length,  and  secured  by  the  castle  of  the 
OoulettCj  is  a  stagnant  lake  thirty  miles  in  circumfe- 
rence, reaching  quite  to  the  suburbs  of  Tunis,  whose 
deepest  water  is  not  more  than  six  feet,  which  re- 
ceives through  a  canal,  immediately  under  the  v/alls 
of  the  castle,  the  sandals,  or  lighters  with  merchan- 
dize from  the  vessels  at  anchor  in  the  bay.  In  the 
same  manner  ail  vessels  receive  from  the  city  their 
provisions  and  lading,  riding  at  anchor  ;  for  there  is 
not  a  wharf,  which  I  have  seen,  on  all  the  coast.  In 
this  lake  the  lialf  gallies  lay  up  in  winter.  Its  wa- 
ters are  so  stagnant  that,  as  the  boats  pass  across  it, 
a  green,  putrid  wake  is  seen  in  their  path,  and  a 
sickly,  most  offensive  smell  fills  the  -air  at  some  dis- 
tance. The  putrid  miasmata  from  this  lake  may  be, 
perhaps,  among  other  causes  of  the  plague  in  Tunis. 
It  has  been  said  to  inundate  the  ruins  of  Carthage. 
This  is  erroneous.  I  have  repeatedly  visited  those 
ruins.  The  exterior  walls  and  ditches  of  the  an- 
cient city  can  be  traced  without  the  least  difficulty. 
The  walls  of  Byrsa,  the  citidal,  and  temple  of  .^s- 
culapius,  may  also  be  traced  on  an  elevation  of 
ground  one  hundred  and  eigJity  feet  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  water,  bordering  On  the  sea  three  or  four 
miles  from  the  lake.  The  immense  cisterns,  thirty 
feet  deep,  covered  by  vast  arches  supported  by 
strongly  cemented  pillars  of  stone,  are  still  entire  : 
but  these,  like  many  other  arches  of  vaidts;  cisterns 
and  magazines,  are  now  subterraneous ;  and  tlie 
Moors  cultivate  the  surface  where  their  superstruc- 
tures once  stood.  It  is  manifest,  however,  that  this 
lake  covers  a  part  of  an  ancient  village,  vestiges  of 
which  are  found  buried  in  ruins,  in  the*  vicinity  of 
the  Goulette. 

Ifax,  a  fortified  town  situated   48  leagues  S.  S. 
B.  from  Tunis,  the  next  very  considerable  port,  has 


GJiN.    EATON.  95 

a  large,  open  harbor,  but  remarkably  safe,  being  cov- 
ered by  an  island  at  its  entrance.  It  has  good  an- 
choring ground  from  six  to  ten  fathoms  water.  The 
governor  sends  out  many  cruisers,  as  is  shewn  by  the 
list. 

Susa,  a  fortified  town,  20  leagues  S.  S.  E.  from 
Tunis,  has  a  good  harbor,  and  anchoring  ground  of 
six  to  eight  fathom  water  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
Hown. 

Biserte,  situated  about  10  leagues  N.  W.  from 
Tunis,  has  a  large  bay  and  good  anchoring  ground 
within  musket  shot  of  the  castle  :  but  the  road,  be- 
ing quite  open,  is  exposed  to  a  heavy  sea  from  the 
N.  E.  which  renders  it  a  mere  shelter.  Biserte  has 
a  large  mole  within  its  walls  communicating  with 
the  bay  without  and  with  a  large,  beautiful  lake  in 
its  rear,  by  canals  of  about  forty  feet  width  and  ten 
deep.  Into  this  mole  the  cruisers  are  brought  for 
safety  in  the  same  manner  as  they  are  got  over  the 
entrance  of  Port  Farina. 

Heather's  chart  of  the  Mediterranean  gives  the 
best  points  of  direction  for  entering  these  ports. 

The  winds  upon  these  coasts  are  variable  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year.  But  in  settled  weather  in  the 
summer  season  there  is  said  to  be  a  sea  breeze  set- 
ting in  there  by  day,  and  a  land  breeze  setting  oft* 
by  night.  This  is  probably  occasioned  by  the  great- 
er rarefactibn  of  air  by  the  reflected  heat  from  the 
sands  on  shore  by  day  and  the  warm  surface  of  the 
water  by  night. 

From  the  foregoing  list  and  schedule  it  appears 
that  no  season  of  the  year  is  considered  peculiarly 
dangerous  to  navigation.  February  has  uniformly 
sent  out  fewest  cruisers,  but  this  1  apprehend,  may 
be  ascribed  i-ather  to  the  great  sensibility  of  these, 
people  to  the  cold  than  any  other  cause.  This  forms 
no  impediment  to  the  European  sailor,  who  navigates 
those  seas  at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

The  country  on  the  sea  coast  of  this  kingdom  in 
naturally  luxuriant  and  beautiful  beyond  description. 


t)6  LIFE  or 

Well  rniglit  the  Romans  consider  it  a  luxury  to  have 
a  seat  here.     Were  it  in  the  possession  of  an  enlight- 
ened and  enterprising   people,  I  know  not  why  it 
might  not  vie  with  the  opposite  continent  in  every- 
thing useful,  rich  and  elegant. 
'  The  government  is   absolute,    heredetary  monar- 
-chy ;  but    uncommonly  mild  in   its   administration. 
The  present  Bey  holds  the  regency  by  usurpation. 
His  father,    Alha  Bey,  on  the  death  of  a  brother, 
Mahomet   Bey,  took  the  government  in  trust  during 
the  minority  of  a  nephew,  Sidi  Mahmoud  Bey,  the 
rightful  heir.     By  an  eminently  mild  and  good  ad- 
ministration he  secured  the  love  and  adoration  of  his 
subjects  ;  and  by  bribes  and  intrigues  with  the  divan, 
principal  officers  of  state  and  the  Grand  Signior,  he 
procured  the  regency  established  in  himself  and  de- 
scendants, to  the  exclusion  of  the  heir   of  the  right 
line,  who  is  now  held  as  a  kind  of  hostage  in  the 
palace   and  maintained   by  the  regency.     Hamuda 
Bashaw  Bey,  the  present  regent,  by  possessing  ma- 
ny of  the  talents  of  his  father,  and  by  adopting  his 
examples  in  government,  has  established  himself  so 
firmly  in  the  affections  and  confidence  of  his  sub- 
jects, that  his  rival  seems  to   have  abandoned  all 
hopes  of  dispossessing  him,  and  quietly  submits  to 
the  usurpation.     He  enjoys  however  the  title  of  Bey, 
a  title  stripped  of  all  appendages. 

It  is  remarkable  that  the  Alcoran  forms  the  only 
code  of  laws  in  this  I'egency.  (As  this  is  formed 
in  religion  it  will  be  naturally  concluded  that  here 
^re  no  lawyers ,  and  of  course  very  little  litigation.) 

The  Bey,  solus,  forms  the  supreme  court  ol  judi- 
cature, and  admits  presentments  and  causes  of  every 
name  and  nature  to  be  originally  brought  before  him. 
Such  as  he  finds  capital  or  important  he  hears  and 
determines  ;  petit  felonies  and  small  traversies  he 
sends  down  to  a  public  inferior  court  of  justice,  call- 
ed Sharah,  in  the  city  of  Tunis,  at  the  head  of  which 
ii!  the  Cndi  or  high  priest. 


GEX.    EATON.  '  97 

■  III  each  province  and  considerable  town  are  inferi- 
or courfs.  Tlie  Cait,  or  farmer  of  the  revenue,  a 
kind  of  deputy  governor,  forms  a  species  of  court  of 
common  pleas  for  hearing  and  determining  all  mat- 
ters of  dispute  between  private  subjects,  where  the 
demand  does  not  exceed  a  certain  sura,  or  where  the 
subject  matter  of  controversy  is  not  of  a  criminal  na- 
ture. And  the  Caia,  a  governor  of  the  province,  who 
is  also  commandant  of  the  forces,  forms  a  court  in 
the  nature  of  sessions  of  the  peace  for  the  trial  of  all 
criminal  oiTences  not  capital.  In  causes  of  this  na- 
ture these  courts  may  have  original  jurisdiction,  but 
appeal  lies  in  all  cases  from  their  decision  to  the 
Bey,  or  supreme  court. 

,  The  Bey  sits  in  the  hall  of  justice  from  eight  till 
twelve  o'clock  in  the  winter,  and  from  seven  till  e- 
leven  in  the  summer,  every  day  in  the  year,  Fridays 
and  the  days  of  Biram  and  Ramadan,  public  feasts, 
only  excepted.  In  all  the  courts  the  plaintiff  enters 
and  argues  his  own  cause,  in.  irropria  jjersona,  and 
the  defendant  in  like  manner  pleads  and  defends. 
So  also  in  criminal  prosecutions.  The  whole  man- 
agement consists  in  simple  statements,  substantiat- 
ing and  refuting  allegations,  generally  by  evidence 
deduced  from  the  testimony  of  witnesses.  Their 
rules  and  maxims,  in  trials  of  criminal  and  capital  of- 
fences, are  very  similar  to  those  of  our  common  law  ; 
especially  the  crime  of  murder;  and  may  ])c  and 
probably  are,  derived  from  the  same  source,  the  law 
of  Moses. 

The  Bey  also  transacts  all  his  national  concerns 
in  his  own  person,  and  superintends  the  police  of 
his  navy  and  army,  even  the  payment  of  liis  troops. 
These  duties  render  his  life  extremely  laborious^ 
He  lives  abstemiously,  exercises  much  and  sleeps 
little,  (and  alone  though  connected  by  marriage  v.ith 
the  finest  and  most  accomplished  woman  in  the  king- 
dom, who  is  about  ten  years  younger  than  himself, 
and  devoted  to  him  by  the  most  aifectionate  attach- 
ment.)    But  with  all  these  excellent  qualities  of  th(* 

13 


QS  LIF£   OF 

pvincejlieis  not  without  a  blemish  the  name  of  whiclr 
would  excite  a  blush  in  the  countenance  of  the  most 
depraved  of  nature^s  children.  And  however  sin- 
gularly unnatural^  his  favorite  minister  (the  Sapata- 
pa)  a  lusty  Turk  of  about  thirty  three,  is  the  first  ob- 
iject  of  his  passion! 

He  also  is  unboundedly  avaricious.  And  though  he 
said  to  me  he  was  not  enamored  with  toys,  his  palace 
is  crowded  with  rich  jewels  of  all  sorts  and  arms  or- 
namented with  2;old  and  diamonds  :  and  his  wife  is 
said  to  be  loaded  with  gold  and  diamonds,  which, 
like  the  jewels  of  Paulina,  may  be  literally  said  to 
be   locked  from  usefulness  and  from  the  world. 

The  military  force  of  Tunis  is  rather  imaginary 
than  real.  JLverv  Turk,  and  descendant  of  a  Turk, 
is  a  soldier  find  under  pay,  they  amounting  to  6,800 
These,  though  they  are  never  embodied,  are  what 
they  call  their  regular  troops.  Detachments  of  them 
appear  in  the  field  once  or  twice  a  year,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  sv.  aggering  into  the  interior  provinces,  to  col- 
lect the  revenues  of  the  poor,  oppressed  Moors. 
They  cannot  be  said  to  have  an  uniform  :  and  they 
have  less  discipline  than  the  rudest  troops  I  have  ev- 
er seen  in  America ;  and  I  have  seen  our  militia 
from  Boston  in  Massachusetts  to  Lexington  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  from  the  north  boundaries  of  Vermont 
to  the  south  boundaries  of  Georgia.  They  are  arm- 
ed with  a  sabre,  brace  of  pistols,  and  a  rusty  mus- 
ket without  a  bayonet.  Their  camp,  as  they  call 
their  army,  or  rather  their  mob,  when  assembled, 
are  composed  partly  of  cavalry,  who  are  armed  in 
the  same  manner  as  the  infantry.  Their  horses,  tak- 
en collectively,  are  really  worse  than  the  mill  hors- 
es of  my  own  native  country,  New  England,  which 
every  body  knows  are  wretched  enough,  brought 
into  the  field  as  nature  formed  them,  or  only  al- 
tered by  the  galling  of  pack  saddles  or  hampers, 
and  totally  undisciplined.  They  have  no  manual 
exercise  nor  field  manoeuvres.  On  their  march  they 
drive  on  lielter  skelter,  as  void  of  tacdcs  as  the  tigers 


GEN.    EATON.  99 

ef  their  desert  :  and  their  encampments  are  as  ir- 
regular as  their  exercise.  Such  are  all  the  soldiery 
whom  I  have  seeu^  and  I  have  reason  to  believe  such 
are  all  whom  the  kingdom  can  produce.  These,  as 
I  have  said  before,  are  regulars :  their  militia  is  still 
worse.  Every  Moor  has  arms.  Their  natives  form 
the  militia  :  but  they  assemble  neither  in  bodies  nor 
detachments^  except  in  case  of  imminent  danger  : 
and  they  then  rasii  down  from  the  mountains  like 
so  many  wolves  of  the  forest.  In  their  complexion 
and  habits  they  have  a  striking  resemblance  to  the 
American  savages  ;  and  in  their  manners  resemble, 
them  much  :  but  they  want  tliat  wild  magnanimity, 
that  air  of  independence,  which  animate  those  free 
born  sons  of  our  forests.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  the 
Moors  are  timid.  The  Turks  are  said  to  be  brave. 
This  is  not  impossible.  Bunker's  hill  affords  a 
proof  that  undisciplined  men  v/ill  fight  :  but  the 
campaign  of  '76  also  proves  that  undisciplined  men 
form  bad  armies.  I  cannot  ascertain  the  number  of 
the  unorganised  militia. 

The  pay  of  the  Turkish  soldier  is  four  aspers, 
^-Qi  of  a  dollar  per  diem,  without  clothing,  and 
without  rations,  except  when  in  the  field.  This  sum 
increases  one  asper  every  third  year  till  it  amounts 
to,  but  cannot  exceed,  twenty  nine  aspers  per  diem, 
let  the  rank  be  what  it  will.  The  Bey,  being  a  Turk, 
is,  of  course,  a  soldier,  and  commander  in  chief  of 
the  army  and  navy.  His  pay  for  this  service  is 
twenty  nine  aspers  per  diem.  His  Major  Generals 
receive  tlie  same  and  no  more  for  their  military  ser- 
vices. How  do  they  subsist  ?  By  perquisites.  This 
establishment  may  have  been  founded  in  economy  : 
it  has  destroyed  discipline. 

Among  the  other  miscellany  of  this  letter,  the  ag- 
gressions of  these  pirates  which  have  lately  happen- 
eid,  and  some  reflections  on  the   affairs  which  inti- 
mately concern  our  nation,  I  hope  may  not  be  con 
«idered  wholly  impei'tinent. 


iOO  JAYE    OF 

In  the  years  ^85  to  '9,  Tunis  is  said  to  have  taken 
one  hundred  prizes  from  Venice.  In  the  month  of 
August  of  the  year  1797?  Prince  Paterno  of  Sicily, 
as  he  was  passing  from  Palermo  to  Naples,  in  a 
Greekvesselof  the  Morea,  with  subjects  of  the  Grand 
Signior,  and  under  Ottoman  colors,  was  taken  by  a 
Tunissian  corsaire  and  brought  into  port.  The 
court  of  Naples  protested  to  the  Grand  Signior  against 
the  capture,  who  sent  an  envoy  to  Tunis  to  examine 
the  vessel's  papers.  Finding  them  not  minutely 
regular,  the  vessel  and  cart  o  were  adjudged  as  a 
good  prize,  and  the  crew  and  passengers  condemned 
to  slavery.  The  prince  remained  a  prisoner  till  the 
middle  of  December  of  the  same  year,  w  hen  he  stip- 
ulated for  his  own  ransom  for  four  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars  to  the  Bey  and  fifty  thousand  to  the 
Sa])itapa. 

On  the  eighth  of  September  last,  five  Tunissian  cor- 
saires,  carrying  nine  hundred  and  ninety  men,  landed, 
in  the  grey  of  the  morning,  upon  the  island  of  St.  Peters 
in  the  dependence  of  Sardinia,  captured  and  brought 
prisoners  to  Tunis  seven  hundred  women  and  chil- 
dren and  two  hundred  and  twenty  men.  The  des- 
cription given  Die,  by  the  British  Consul,  of  the  bar- 
barous and  brutal  conduct  practiced  upon  these  un- 
fortunate, defenceless  wretches,  would  shock  a  sav- 
age. The  able  bodied  men  of  the  island  being  at 
their  vinta;5es  in  the  conu<ry,  these  people  fell  a  fee- 
ble sacrifice  to  the  merciless  assailants.  Decriped 
age,  delicate  youth  and  helpless  infancy,  were  tum- 
bled headlong  from  tlieir  beds,  precijiitated  down 
flights  of  stairs,  shoved  out  of  street  windows,  driven 
naked  in  an  undistinguished  crowd,  without  respect 
to  sex  or  circumstance,  through  the  streets,  and  cram- 
i'd  promiscuously  into  the  filthy  hold  of  one  of  their 
cniiscrs  ;  in  this  manner  brought  across  the  sea,  and 
in  this  wretched  plight  goaded  with  thongs  through 
the  street  of  the  city  by  their  relentless  captors,  driv- 
(^•n  to  the  common  auction  square,  and  consigned  to 
slavery,     The  king  of  Sardinia,  distressed  as  he  has 


GEN.    EATOIS'.  101 

been  on  the  other  hand  ])y  the  crimes  of  the  republic, 
has  not  hitherto  found  the  ability  to  redeem  them,  at 
the  enormous  sum  of  six  hundred  and  forty  thousand 
dollars,  which  the  Bey  demanded.  He  has  lately 
appointed  an  a^^ed  and  respectable  Count,  Porcheela, 
who  has  been  four  times  before  an  ambassador  to  this 
Court,  and  who  is  now  here  to  negociate  the  terras  of 
their  redemption.  He  has  at  length  prevailed  on  the 
Bey  to  accept  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  seventy 
thousand  dollars  ;  but  the  terms  of  payment  are  not 
yet  agreed  upon  :  there  is  however  a  prospect  of  their 
release.      *     *     *     *     ->ff     **•*-**     * 

The  old,  the  infirm,  and  the  infants,  who  were  un- 
fit for  slaves,  have  been  obliged  to  shift  for  themselves. 
They  could  not  find  subsistence.  Charity  dealt  her 
sparing  morsel  to  them.  They  have  suiFeretl  much  : 
but  the  Consuls  severally  contributed  something  to 
their  relief.  I  received  a  letter  from  the  Sardinian 
Secretary  of  State,  and  another  from  the  Consul  Gen- 
eral  appointed  to  be  charged  with  the  affiiirs  of  all 
nations  who  have  not  a  consul  established  in  that 
kingdom,  soliciting  the  good  offices  of  the  American 
Consul  in  this  affair  :  tlie  latter  seemed  to  claim  as 
an  obligation,  intimating  that  he  had  often  rendered 
disinterested  services  to  Americans  in  Sardinia. 
I  gave  one  hundred  dollars.      ****** 

When  war  was  declared  against  France,  the  Con- 
sul and  all  his  countrymen  were  confined  in  close 
prison,  and  their  property  sequestered,  notwithstand- 
ing a  treaty  stipulation  that  the  Consul  and  others  of 
his  nation  should  be  allowed  one  year,  after  declara- 
tion of  war,  to  adjust  their  affairs  and  depart  the  king- 
dom. 

On  the  Sd.  of  April  last,  the  garrison  of  Corfu  sur- 
rendered by  capitulation  to  the  combined  forces  of 
the  Russians  and  Turks,  on  condition  of  being  con- 
voyed to  France.  On  the  25th,  one  of  the  transportfe 
having  on  board  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  garri- 
son, being  separated  from  its  convoy,  fell  in  with  and 
was  captured  by  an  Algerine  corsaire.     On  the  sec- 


iOS  I.1FE   OF 

Olid  of  May  they  were  broiiglit  into  Tiinis^  and  on  the 
fourth  they  ivere  marched  through  the  city  and  sent 
ofl'  by  land  to  Algiers,  wliere  they  have  since  ])een 
condemned  to  slavery.  About  the  same  time  a  Veni- 
cian  vessel  was  taken  under  the  Emperor's  colors  and 
passport,  carried  to  Algiers  and  condemned ;  the 
Dey  refusing  to  knovi^  the  Emperor. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  a  Tripoline  corsaire  sent  into 
the  port  of  t.ie  Goulette  a  large  Danish  ship  laden 
with  sugar  and  coff'ee,  taken  in  the  straits.  There 
lias  been  no  war  declared  by  Tripoli  against  Den- 
mark :  but  the  latter  has  delayed  some  stipulated  re- 
al ia. 

On  the  same  day  the  Bey  of  Tunis  condemned  as 
a  good  prize  a  Sicilian  merchant  vessel  taken  by  his 
corsairs  with  admiral  Nelson's  passport.  The  ad- 
miral has  the  firmin  of  the  Grand  Signior  to  protect 
whatsoever  vessel  he  pleases. 

A  few  days  since  the  Bey  of  Tunis  demanded 
of  the  king  of  Spain  two  frigates  of  thirty  two  guns 
each  ;  and  it  is  said  the  demand  is  acceded  to  by  the 
Consul. 

Denmark  is  in  arrear  to  this  regency  for  some  re- 
galia of  maritime  stores,  which  lieing  delayed  beyond 
the  limited  time,  the  Bey  demanded  additional  pres- 
<pnts,  to  compensate  the  damages  of  the  delay.  The 
demand  ])eing  submitted  by  the  Consul  to  his  court 
and  re  jrr+ed,  the  stipulated  regalia,  though  actually 
forwarded,  w  eve  refused  to  be  received,  and  now  lie 
under  water  at  iiie  Goulette.     The  affair  is  unsettled. 

It  would  seem  that  aggressions  and  insults  such 
as  these  Avould  bring  down  vengeance  upon  these  re- 
gencies by  a  combination  of  all  Europe  against  them, 
It  would  so,  but  policy  dictates  otherwise.  They 
are  not  a  sufficient  object  to  engage  the  serious  atten- 
tion of  the  gre'at  powers,  especially  those  who  can 
aw^e  them  into  terms  by  the  voice  of  their  thunder,  or 
purchase  them  at  half  the  expence  of  a  war.  The 
small  states  which  suffer  their  ravages  are  enervated 
by  effeminacy,  cramped  ])y  oppression,  terrified  by 
cruelty  or  destitute  of  resources.     The  greater  have 


GEX.    EATON.  .     103 

cheerfully  seen  these  little  victims  consumed,  which 
would  otherwise  have  been  impediments  to  their  com- 
merce. But  the  time  is  coming,  f.»id  now  is,  when 
these  sources  of  plunder  will  be  cut  off.  The  aston- 
ishing progress  of  the  combined  forces  in  Italy 
leaves  no  doubt  that  those  states  will  ultimately 
change  their  masters,  and  fall  into  hands  able  to  pro- 
tect them.  Venice  is  already  out  of  their  reach — 
Genoa  is  said  to  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
combined  armies.  The  king  of  the  two  Sicilies^, 
througli  the  mediation  of  the  Grand  >Signior,  and 
under  the  auspices  of  the  British  lords,  St.  A'^incent 
and  Nelson,  has  negociated  a  truce  during  the  pres- 
ent war.  France  has  no  commerce  exposed.  Spain 
can  defend  herself  by  assistance  of  auxiliaries  drawn 
from  her  mines.  Portugal,  though  a  lady,  speaks 
with  a  manly  tone  to  these  pirates  ;  she  dictates 
terms  to  them  under  their  own  batteries.  She  has 
lately,  on  the  twelfth  of  May,  forced  Tripoli  to  pur- 
chase  a  treaty  at  the  expense  of  eleven  thousand  dol- 
lars, after  having  Captured  two  of  the  Bashaw 's  prin- 
cipal corsaires.  All  this  with  only  one  7%  command- 
ed by  commodore  Campbell.  I>enmark  and  Sweden 
have  frigates  in  thcfse  seas  :  and  Holland  has  no 
commerce  here.  Tunis  is  robbed  of  hev  prey  :  and 
is»as  restless  as  a  bear  robbed  of  her  whelps.  Com- 
merce is  at  an  end  here.  Plunder  must  be  had. 
Where  is  it  to  be  found  ?  America  presents  it.  Bui 
Tunis  is  at  j)eacc  with  America.  Tunis  must  have 
jjlitnder.  Necessity  has  no  law.  A  pretext  is  found 
for  a  declaration  of  war  in  our  delinquency,  our  de- 
lay in  sending  out  the  stipulated  regalia  ;  and  the, 
commerce  of  America  in  this  sea  will  fall  the  victim  to 
the  rapacity  of  these  starving  robbers.  Europe  will 
be  something  more  than  an  idle  spectator  of  the 
scene.  Europe  will  participate  in  the  joy  of  the  e- 
vent.  I  am  not  amusing;  myself  with  idle  specula- 
tions. Nor  does  it  require  a  second  sight  to  per- 
ceive this  tendency  of  things.  I  lately  thought  poli- 
cy w^ould  dictate    otherwise  during   the   war    with 


104  t-'it'E  Of 

France.  Observation  lias  pursuaded  me  that  Tunis 
is  reluctant  at  fighting  France,  and  that  the  regency 
Avishes,  if  possibJe,  to  cultivate  a  secret  understand- 
ing  with  the  republic. 

It  seems  highly   probable  that  the  United  States 
will  soon  become  chief  carriers  into  the  Mediterra- 
nean ;  or  that  they  will  at  least  have  their  share  of 
tills  trade.     Our  peaceable  situation,  vicinity  to  the 
islands,   the  enterprize  of  our  navigators,    and   the 
great  advantages  that  offer  here,  all  promise  and  en- 
courage it.     Europe   Avill  see  a  rival    accumulating 
wealth  and  power  in  the  west    by  this  monopoly. 
Jealousy  and  envy  will  conspire  with  national  inter- 
est  to  procure  the  sentence  against  us,  JUelenda  est 
Carthago  !  But  this  must  be  done  by  intrigue,  by  assas- 
sination.    These  pirates  present  themselves  as  suita- 
ble instruments  of  this  policy.     They  are  suffered  in 
existence  for  no  other  purpose  but  to  be   thus  used. 
Peace  aiul  war  m  ith  them  are  articles  of  commerce  ; 
and  they  may  be  set  on  or  bought  off  by  the  highest 
bidder.     The  nations,  who  may  find  occasion  to  use 
them  to  check  our  commerce,  have  little  more  to  do 
than  to  paint  to  them  the  certain  advantages  which 
would  result  from  making  war  upon   it :  to  paint 
the  number,  value  and  defenceless   situation  of  our 
merchantmen  in  this  sea  :  and,  if  occasion  should  re- 
quire, to  add  by  way  of  stimulus   regalia  of  ammu- 
nition.    Who  among  our  friends  would  scruple  to 
use  these  means  ?  I  wish  avarice  may  find  its  limits 
here.     I  wish  I  could  persuade  myself  that  the  rival 
nations  of  Europe,   whom  conquest    will  exhaust  at 
home,  will  not  aim  to  fix  their  talons  on  flourishing 
America.     I  wish  I  could  think  better  of  mankind  : 
but  the  age  in  which  I  live   has  already  furnished 
too  many  examples  of  this  depraved  policy,  this  cru- 
el intrigue,  of  which  America  has  been  the   subject, 
without  the  ability  to  detect^  or  po^ver  to  oppose  its  in- 
fluence, not  to  establish  the  suspicion. 

I  vf  ill  here  take  the  liberty  to  suggest  that  there  is 
an  impropriety  in  granting  money  for  Barbary  with' 


GEN.    EATON.  105 

open  galleries  ;  for,  being  published  in  Europe,  Eu- 
ropean agents  here  are  instructed  to  inform  the  Beyg 
of  these  appropriations,  or  they  do  it  without  in- 
structions ;  which  tends  to  enhance  their  demands 
and  embarrass  our  negociations.  This  must  be  the 
case,  for  the  Beys  do  not  read,  yet  they  know  per- 
fectly  well  the  amount  of  these  appropriations.  It 
is  only  pursuing  a  uniform  policy.  Is  England  less 
interested  or  less  solicitous  at  this  moment  in  prohib- 
iting  the  carrying  of  American  goods  in  American 
bottoms  to  these  important  places  of  commerce,  than 
she  was  in  1660  ? 

An  English  Captain  from  Mahon,  a  few  days  since, 
was  heard  to  say,  in  the  Britishconsular  house,  that 
eighty  American  ships  had  already  passed  the  straits 
this  spring.  The  Consul,  in  a  transport  of  astonish- 
ment, exclaimed,  ''  By  God  we  must  put  a  check  to 
these  people  ;  they  are  ruining  all  our  commerce 
here  and  in  the  East  Indies  !" 

Would  a  directory  of  France  less  than  a  Lewis 
the  XIV.  be  solicitous  to  erect  an  Mgiers,  if  there 
were  not  one  already  on  this  coast  ? 

But,  independent  of  European  intrigue,  it  would 
tindoubtedly  be  to  the  interest  of  this  regency  to 
break  with  us,  and  they  undoubtedly  know  it. 

The  game  of  tlie  Mediterranean  Christians  wrest- 
ed from  them  by  the  more  mighty  hunters  of  the 
Nortli  and  East,  what  have  they  for  one  hundred 
and  twenty  blood  hounds,  which  now  lie  kenneled 
in  their  ports,  to  be  employed  about  ?  They  must  be 
let  loose  upon  somebody.  They  already  scent  our 
merchantmen.  And  finding  the  least  plausible  pre- 
text, they  will  be  loosed  to  the  chase.  If  then  our 
stipulations  be  not  punctually  obiserved,  where  is  the 
guarantee  of  our  safety  ?  Shall  we  rely  on  treaty 
compact?  Treaties  are  dead  languages  with  these 
regencies.  Was  it  not  stipulated  that  one  year 
should  be  allowed  to  the  French  to  remove  with  their 
effects  ?  Is  not  their  Consul,  and  are  not  his  fellow 
citizens,  slaves  ?   We  cannot  place  any  reliance  in. 


their  good  faith.  Can  Immanity  move  them  ?  Why 
should  we  expect  from  inveterate  pirates,  virtues  sel- 
dom practised  among  civilized  and  christian  na- 
tions ?  Have  we  the  vanity  to  believe  they  are  afraid 
of  us  ?  What  should  have  produced  this  impulse  ? 
They  have  seen  nothing  here  to  excite  terror  but  the 
little  Miss  Sophia  disguised  in  men's  clothes.  The 
poor  thing  excited  pity  rather  than  alarm.  When  I 
observed  to  the  Bey  at  one  of  our  interviews,  that 
we  had  once  whipped  the  English^he  shrewdly  ask- 
ed whether  we  did  it  or  whether  the  French  did  it 
■  for  us  ?  As  I  have  before  said,  nothing  will  prevent 
j  us  from  being  bloodsucked  by  this  daughter  of  the 
i  horse  leach  except  formidable  force,  faithful  fulfil- 
ment of  our  stipulations  or  further  sacrifices. 

Whatever  shall  be  resolved  upon,  should  be  ex- 
peditiously prosecuted.  Otherwise  we  shall  experi- 
ence the  evils  which  I  liave  predicted  and  which  I 
believe  are  now  projecting.  I  am  at  this  moment 
convinced  that  it  Avas  with  a  view  of  finding  pretext 
for  a  war,  that  the  Bey  and  his  ministers  labored 
with  so  much  perseverance  to  dragoon  or  manoeuver 
me  into  a  promise  of  regalia  of  jewels  and  a  cruiser. 
It  is  my  decided  opinion  that  unless  something  shaH 
appear  for  us  before  the  fir?t  of  February,  the  die 
will  be  cast  against  us,  and  a  sweep  made  among 
our  merchantmen.  I  wisli  my  alarm  may  prove  the 
child  of  timidity.  But  since  from  arguments  already 
given,  it  has  taken  j)osscssion  of  my  belief,  I  cannot 
forbear  my  importunity  on  a  subject  of  so  much  im- 
portance. We  owe  our  peace  at  this  moment  to  the 
victory  of  Lord  Nelson. 

I  submitted  my  opinion  by  Captain  Gcddes,  that  a 
small  cruiser  of  eighteen  or  twenty  guns  would  be 
well  given.  I  am  still  of  that  opinion,  in  case  a 
force  be  not  sent  out.  1  iiave  before  said  tliat  here 
is  no  access  to  these  courts  witliout  paving  the  way 
with  gold  or  cannon  balls.  Humanity  condemns  tlie 
policy  of  putting  arms  into  the  hands  of  these  mad 
men.     But  we  are  not  singular  in  this  policy.     Be- 


GEX.    EATON.  107 

sides  considering  the  intrigues  of  our  rivals  here, 
we  ought  perhaps  to  feel  no  remorse  on  this  score 
other  than  what  the  danger  of  those  arms  being 
turned  against  ourselves  should  produce.  I  have  al- 
so advanced  my  opinion  that  a  respectable,  armed 
force  in  this  sea  would  be  among  the  best  precau- 
tions against  a  preditory  war.^  How  often  is  the 
maxim  repeated  in  America,  "  to  preserve  peace,  be 
prepared  for  war  ?''  But  how  should  this  prepara- 
tion  be  productive  of  its  object,  if  the  world  are  ig- 
norant  of  it  ?  If  this  precaution  be  necessary  to  pre- 
serve peace  among  <iivilized  nations,  how  much  more 
so  among  savages  who  have  no  restraint  but  fear  ? 
Having  never  seen  the  quiver  they  have  no  desire 
for  the  olive  branch.  Our  language  to  them  should 
be  the  language  of  the  gospel  :  ^^  I  have  this  day 
set  before  you  life  and  death,  choose  you  which  you 
will.^'  Without  a  language  like  this,  and  an  attitude 
to  support  it,  to  think  of  reciprocity  is  idle,  since 
here  are  no  commercial  interests  to  induce  it.  And 
to  send  an  agent  with  presents  in  his  hands  to  talk 
of  friendship,  honor  and  national  justice,  is  like  deck- 
ing a  woman  with  jewels  and  sending  her  into  a  for- 
est to  hold  imparlance  with  a  highwayman. 

Were  I  to  dictate  measur&s  to  the  United  States, 
they  would  read  thus.  "  Send  out  the  stimulated  re- 
galia :  for,  being  stipuLated,  it  is  become  a  debt.  Ac- 
company it  with  a  respectable  force  ;  and  under  our 
guns,  make  the  tender  on  iim  legal  principles  of  a 
tender  ;  that,  if  refused,  ii  should  a-nnul  the  obliga- 
tion. After  this  act  of  justice  is  performed,  if  the 
president  should  think  proper  to  offer  something 
conciliatory,  something  to  "  turn  away  wrath,"'  let 
it  be  done  gratuitously,  and  in  such  a  manner  as  not 
only  to  confer  an  obligation,  but  to  impose  a  sense  of 
it  also."  These  measures!  do  believe  necessary  pre- 
cautions. But  they  icill  be  attended  icith  eocpence. 
Let  my  fellow  citizens  be  persuaded,  before  convic- 
tion  shall  force  the  belief,  that  this  is  an  expence 
which  must  one  day  be  submitted  to.  Wisdom  woul(3 


108  LIFE   OP 

provide  for  it  before  we  »hall  hefratei^ally  squeezed 
into  the  measure.  Before  we  incur  the  expence  of 
redeeming  two  or  tliree  hundred  captives  from  sla- 
very at  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  eacli,  exclu- 
sive of  the  loss  of  twenty  or  thirty  merchantmen. 
/**'  Tiie  citizens  of  tiie  United  States,  jealous  of  their 
liberty,  and  tenacious  of  their  property,  are  reluctant, 
or  at  least  slow,  to  secure  by  due  guards  what  they 
are  most  desirous  to  have  secured.  If  the  ravages 
of  the  present  European  war  have  not  convinced  them 
that  a  defenceless  position  invites  insult,  they  may 
with  a  little  more  patience  have  additional  evidence 
of  this  truth.  But  to  me  it  is  now  apparent  that  little 
less  than  sacrifices  equivalent  to  the  expence  of  a 
war  will  long  secure  our  property  on  these  seas,  un- 
less they  will  at  least  go  to  the  voluntary  expence  of 
sending  out  a  hangman  and  erecting  a  gallows  in 
siglit  of  these  robbers. 

These  familiar  remarks  and  reflections  in  an  of- 
ficial communication  I  know  are  out  of  order,  and 
for  the  department  of  state,  which  I  believe  has  long 
since  anticipated  them,  wholly  unnecessary.  But  as 
they  arise  out  of  observations  taken  on  the  spot,  it 
is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  they  may  make  some 
impression  on  minds  not  accustomed  to  be  exercised 
"with  this  subject.  For  this  reason  they  are  annexed 
to  the  report  whicli  duly  requires  of  me  :  and  for 
this  reason  it  is  hoped  they  may  be  considered  veni- 
ablo  if  not  in  order.         *         *        *  ^         * 

Speaking  the  other  day  with  the  Swedish  Consul, 
who  has  been  twenty  years  in  this  regency,  respect- 
ing the  usances  exacted  of  the  nations,  and  mention- 
ing the  Bey's  demands  from  the  United  States,  he 
said,  ^^  All  nations,  in  making  and  concbiding  a 
treaty  of  peace,  make  large  presents  ;  otherwise  the 
most  frivolous  thing  would  be  made  a  pretext  for 
new  demands  or  for  invalidating  the  treaty.  Beside 
this,  the  Bey  Avould  perhaps  once  in  twenty  years 
demand  a  present.  Re  has  lately  demanded  of 
Sweden  regalia  of  plank,  timber  and  tar,  part  of 


GEN,   EATON.  109 

which  has  been  sent  out,  the  other  is  daily  expected. 
But/'  continued  he,  "  If  England,  who  has  been 
two  hundred  years  at  peace  with  this  regency,  sliould 
give  twelve  thousand  pounds  sterling  on  sending  out 
a  7iew  Consul,  it  is  not  surprizing  that  much  more 
should  be  expected  from  a  great  nation  on  negociat- 
ing  a  treaty  and  estahlisliing  a  Consul.'' 

Whoever  has  read  the  books  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, or  else  where  learned  the  manners  and  cus- 
toms of  the  ancient  Jews  and  other  eastern  nations, 
may  form  some  idea  of  these  people.  Those  ancient 
religious  rites,  marriage  ceremonies,  ablutions,  do- 
mestic habits  and  even  agricultural  management, 
(which  probably  must  have  descended  from  the  an- 
cient Egyptians.)  are  preserved  here  with  little  devi- 
ation, and  less  improvement.  But  no  custom  of  the 
ancients  seems  more  minutely  preserved  than  that  of 
giving  and  receiving  presents.  This  custom  seems 
to  have  been  very  ancient,  not  only  on  the  reception 
of  Jin  Ambassador,  but  also  on  the  meeting  of  friends, 
or  formal  visits.  The  Queen  of  Sheba,  on  a  visit  to 
Solomon,  is  said  to  have  brought  a  present,  the  gold 
of  which  is  estimated  by  Dean  Prideaux  at  864,000/. 
sterling.  Few  I  believe  are  the  instances  recorded 
in  ancient  history,  sacred  or  profane,  of  a  prince  or 
an  ambassador  meeting  a  prince  with  propositions 
of  a  negociation,  without  preluding  the  business  with 
a  present.  Hence  David  :  "  a  gift  in  secret  pacifi- 
eth  anger,  and  a  reward  in  the  bosom  strong  wrath.'* 
What  is  now  considered  in  Europe  and  America 
corruption,  was  then  no  more  than  a  matter  of  course : 
and  is  now  thus  received  by  the  descendents  of 
the  eastern  nations.  The  Sapitapa  informed  me 
that  when  he  went  on  an  embassy  to  the  Grand  Sign- 
ior,  about  two  years  ago,  he  carried  with  him  a  pres- 
ent in  jewels  valued  at  500,000  dollars  of  Spain: 
and  that,  finding  this  inadequate  to  the  purposes  for 
which  it  was  intended,  he  used  his  discretion  in  pro- 
curing  the  deficiency  at  great  additional  expencct 
He  added,  that,  as  tiic  measure  procured  the  object  of 


ilO  LIFE    OF 

his  mission,  his  court  approved  his  conduct.  This 
story  he  gave  as  authority  to  govern  my  conduct 
witli  his  master.  It  proved  however  the  existence 
of  the  custom  with  these  nations  in  their  negociations 
with  each  other.  But  equivalent  returns  are  general- 
ly made  in  these  cases.  They  have  then  imposed 
on  christians  the  custom  of  o;*imrt_g",  without  receiv- 
ing :  And  christians  have  been  stupid  enough  to 
let  it  become  usance^  law  of  nations,  here  :  and 
Americans  must  submit  to  it  :  or  arm  to  resist  it. 
It  is  now  more  peculiarly  necessary,  because,  in 
yielding  to  the  custom^  we  have  acceded  to  the  law. 
We  began  wrong  :  that  is,  we  deviated  from  right 
in  suspending  the  fitting  out  of  the  five  frigates  to 
enter  upon  a  negociation  with  Algiers.  Had  our 
ambassador  held  in  his  right  hand  a  lighted  match, 
and  in  his  left  the  project  of  a  treaty,  Algiers  would 
have  blustered^  and  fretted  too,  but  she  would  have 
been  less  exorbitant  :  and  her  accomplices,  Tunis 
and  Tripoli,  would  have  been  awed  into  terms. 
But  regrets  are  useless  :  we  have  now  only  to  make 
the  best  of  a  bad  bargain. 

With  great  respect. 
Sir^  your  most  obedient 
Servant^ 
WILLIAM  EATOK 
Hon.  Timothy  Pickering, 
Secretary  of  State. 

Extracts,  to  the  Secretary  of  State. 

Jnly  i5th,  1799. 

i  have  yet  mentioned  nothing  of  further  attempts 
fif  a  cash  payment  in  lieu  of  the  maritime  and  mili- 
tary stores,  l>ccause  no  avcII  grounded  hopes  were 
entertained  of  success,  and  because  the  result  of  pro- 
jects some  time  since  in  operation  were  not  known. 

Interest  was  making  with  the  governor  of  Porto 
Farina  and  the  Sapitapa,  to  influence  the  Bey  into 
ike  measuie,  and  the  prospect  was  considered  not 


GEN.    EATON.  Ill 

wholly  desperate  though  not  flattering.  I  had  as- 
sured the  Sapitapa,  that,  if  he  would  procure  a  final 
settlement  and  discharge  of  all  demands  for  any  sum 
short  of  ninety  thousand  dollars,  he  should  be  entitled 
to  receive  ten  thousand  dollars  promptly,  in  consider- 
ation of  his  good  offices.  He  seemed  much  inclined 
to  the  argument. 

On  the  28tli  ult.  he  gave  a  dinner  at  his  garden. 
Present,  the  English  and  Imperial  Consuls,  the  Por- 
tuguese and  Sicilian  ambassadors  and  the  American 
agent,  besides  several  principal  Turks.  In  the 
morning  of  this  day  I  took  the  opportunity  to  obtain 
his  decided  opinion  relative  to  the  cash  substitute. 
He  gave  it,  that  the  project  was  not  feasible  :  said 
that  the  Bey  had  purchased,  and  was  purchasing, 
all  the  ammunition  he  could  procure :  that  he  had  sent 
vessels  to  Trieste,  Mahon  and  Spain,  for  maritime 
and  military  stores,  such  as  he  expected  from  Amer- 
ica, without  being  able  to  procure  them.  That  he 
was  sending  to  Gibralter  and  England  with  the  same 
views  :  That  the  delinquency  of  the  United  States 
had  occasioned  great  disappointment ;  particularly 
so  at  the  present  crisis.  It  had  operated  to  retard, 
and  indeed  to  defeat,  plans  of  national  defence  and 
enterprise,  the  entire  execution  of  which  depended 
on  these  munitions  of  war.  He  was  authorized  a- 
gain  to  declare  that  no  sum  of  money  would  be  con- 
sidered an  equivalent  to  the  regalia.  He  hoped,  if 
the  timber  could  not  be  procured  immediately,  (for  I 
told  him  it  was  yet  growing  on  the  sources  of  our 
rivers,)  that  the  guns,  ammunition,  pitch,  tar,  rosin, 
cordage  and  such  other  articles  as  are  to  be  found  in 
our  magazines,  would  be  forwarded  without  delay. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  here  that  while  v»  e  were  at 
dinner  a  hotly  of  Turks  came  armed  to  the  garden, 
and  even  into  the  court  yard,  and  demanded  money, 
alledging  that  the  gavernment  having  made  peace 
with  every  body  had  reduced  them  to  famine  ;  but 
fhe?i  icere  resolved  not  to  starve  !  This  cirenmslance 


lis  LIFE  or 

confirms  the  opiiiioii  heretofore   advanced  that  they 
'  Must  be  let  loose  upon  some  body.' 

On  the  29th,  the  Portuguese  and  Sicilian  ambas- 
sadors embarked  for  their  respective  courts  ;  th» 
former  having  concluded  a  truce  vrith  this  regency 
for  three  years^  the  latter  during  the  present  war  in 
Europe.  This  raised  a  new  spectre  of  alarm  to  my 
vision.  What  now  is  to  block  the  corsaires  with- 
efut  the  Straits  ?  What  now  shall  hinder  them  from 
cruising  fn)m  tlie  Ca[)e  of  Good  Hope  to  the  Orkney 
islands  ?  England  is  in  a  kind  of  alliance  with 
them  ;  and  France  will  not  oppose  their  outrage  a- 
gainst  Americans.  I  resolved  therefore  once  more  to 
see  the  Bey  and  push,  if  possible,  the  project  of  a  cash 
payment  :  accordingly,  on  the  4ili  of  July  I  waited 
on  him  at  his  palace,  and  requested  him  to  state 
what  sum  of  money  would  satisfy  his  claims  and 
cancel  all  his  demands  ?  He  laconically  answered 
''  No  sum  whatever.  You  need  not  think  more  of 
it."  He  observed  that  his  minister  had  communi- 
cated to  him  ray  proposals  on  this  subject,  and  had 
received  his  instructions  to  give  me  a  conclusive  and 
final  answer  to  them,  which  he  presumed  had  been 
done.  I  said  the  minister  had  made  the  communi- 
cation, but  as  he  was  daily  lessening  the  number  of 
his  enemies,  and  of  course  diminishing  the  necessity 
of  these  munitirms  of  war,  I  hoped  it  would  produce 
motives  to  dispense  with  them  for  a  cash  equivalent : 
but  as  he  insisted  on  the  stipulated  articles,  I  hoped 
he  would  consider  the  impediments  which  might 
retard  their  arrival  and  would  prolong  the  time.  He 
said  it  would  be  early  enough  to  enter  upon  this  sub- 
ject after  the  given  time  shall  have  expired. 

I  now  consider  that  my  ultimatum,  agreeably  to 
instructions,  has  been  proposed  in  a  manner  best 
calculated  to  insure  success,  but  finally  rejected. 
It  remains  with  the  exertions  of  the  United  States 
to  preserve  the  peace.  Every  thing  conspires  to 
confirm  my  suspicion  that  the  regency  does  not  wish 
it,  and  that  the   commerce  of  the   United  States  is 


GEN.    EATON.  11^ 

marked  out  as  the  \4ctim  of  Tunissian  piracy.  I 
thought  I  had  exhausted  the  subject  of  this  suspicion 
in  ray  last  letter,  but  new  evidence  appears  to  sup- 
port it.  The  Spaniards  are  individually  intriguing 
to  effect  it,  that  they  may  avert  the  storm  which  low- 
ers upon  them  ;  and  the  secret  agency  of  the  French 
h  thrown  into  this  scale  of  influence.  Should  the 
Republic  obtain  a  separate  peace  with  the  Ottoman 
empire,  which  is  projecting,  the  event  is  most  certain, 
unless,  by  our  own  means,  we  can  counteract  the 
plot  :  for  the  Jews,  who  have  loved  us  dearly  hith- 
erto, having  much  more  depending  with  the  French 
than  with  the  United  States,  will  Avithdraw  their 
friendly  offices  from  us.  Besides,  their  percents  on 
loans  and  brokerage  and  their  profits  as  bankers  di- 
minishing, they  may  calculate  a  more  profitable  spec- 
ulation on  American  prizes  than  American  commis- 
sions :  for,  individually  and  collectively,  they  are — 
Jews  ! 

To  the  menaces  of  war  I  have  hitherto  feigned  a 
voice  of  indifference,  and,  I  believe,  have  impressed 
a  conviction  of  the  truth  of  this  disposition  in  my 
government.  But  in  this  I  have  had  to  effect  an 
entire  revolution  of  sentiment  ;  for  the  abject  came- 
leon  who  preceded  me  held  no  language  ])ut  that  of 
humility  and  supplication.  Policy  dictated  this  de- 
parture from  his  example,  and  the  opinion  is  deeply 
impressed  in  my  mind  that  policy  will  dictate  to  the 
United  States  to  support  me  in  this  position,  unless 
they  have  reasons  for  relapsing  into  disgrace  herC;, 
and  for  submitting  to  be  plundered. 

Should  an  armed  force  accompany  the  regalia  in- 
to this  sea,  it  should  take  the  appearance  of  a  con- 
voy. This  would  appreciate  the  merit  of  our  exer- 
tions, and,  without  menace,  will  have  the  effect  of 
chastisement.  But  if  the  Bey  should  persist  in  his 
demand  of  Jewels,  and  if  there  be  no  alternative  but 
an  equivalent  or  a  rupture,  how  am  I  to  govern  my- 
self? 

'     '  15 


ii4i  LIFE   OF 

Tunis,  Sth  »lugust,  1799. 

On  30th  and  31st  ultimo^  the  Bey  called  upon  all 
the  consuls  of  the  tributary  nations,  (among  them 
the  American !)  and  demanded  of  their  courts^ 
through  thera^  immediate  supplies  of  naval  stores. 
Of  me  he  had  the  modesty  only  to  demand  that  I, 
without  delay,  should  charter  a  ship  for  America  to 
bring  out  the  naval  stores.  Said,  by  a  report  of  his 
Admiral,  governor  of  Porto  Farina,  and  of  his  naval 
constructor,  he  was  informed,  that  he  had  not  a  sin- 
gle plank  nor  a  spar  in  his  magazines.  I  consumed 
three  days  at  the  palace  on  the  affair,  and  left  the 
Bey  where  he  started. 

i^othing  can  be  added  to  tlie  communications 
heretofore  made  to  inforce  the  necessity  of  expedi- 
tion in  forwarding  the  regalia.  I  have  prevailed  on 
the  Bey  to  forbear  till  the  first  of  January,  and  have 
insisted  on  the  impossibility  of  returns  from  Ameri- 
ca  till  February.  The  earliest  information  of  the 
provision,  &c.  making,  may  be  useful  to  me.  I  have 
uniformly  found  the  Bey  a  reasonable  and  indeed 
accommodatin-g  man.  But  the  Sapitapa — owns 
corsaires,  and  Famiu  is  his — slave  1 

Tunis,  mil  Oct,  1799. 
The  Bey  of  Tunis  still  holds  an  imperious  tone. 
1  can  add  little  on  this  subject  to  the  communications 
already  forwarded,  but  a  confirmation  that  nothing 
will  secure  our  peace  here  but  implicit  concessions  to  all 
the  demands  of  the  regency,  or  formidalde  resistance. 
Having  resolved  to  know  m  hether  any  relaxation  of 
the  Bey's  claims  could,  by  any  means,  be  obtained,  I 
waited  on  him  in  his  palace  yesterday,  and  proposed 
that  he  should  receive  in  lieu  of  the  jewels  demand- 
ed, the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars  in  such  arti- 
cles as  he  should  chuse  to  commission  for  from  En- 
gland. He  ansAvered  that  he  ivas  not  a  merchant  : 
he  kneic  nothing  of  the  value  of  the  regalia  ;  they 
were  the  usance  ;  and  he  should  neither  abate  nor 
coinmutc. 


GEN.    EATON.  •  115 

The  fact  is,  tlie  regalia  have  been  stipulated  by  the 
proper  agent  of  the  United  States,  and  the  govern- 
ment have  no  alternative  but  to  ratify  the  act  or  g6 
to  war.  The  first  of  January  is  declared  to  be  the 
ultimate  moment  of  forbearance  for  the  maritime  and 
military  regalia :  the  jewels  three  months  later. 
This  being  the  situation  of  our  affairs  here,  I  haVe 
thought  prudent  to  communicate  a  caution  to  the  dif- 
ferent Consuls  in  the  Mediterranean  :  it  may  also  be 
proper  to  cause  the  communication  to  be  made  pub- 
lic in  the  United  States. 

The  project  of  a  war  witli  Spaiu  has  evaporated. 
A  secret  accommodation  between  the  Consul  and  the 
Bey  has  reconciled  the  latter.  France,  though  at 
war,  is  not  less  secure  in  her  intrigues  than  her 
strength.  The  king  of  the  two  Sicilies  has  a  truce. 
The  oth^r  Italian  states  and  Malta  have  foreign  pro- 
tection. There  is  not  then  upon  all  the  coast  of  tlie 
Mediterranean  a  single  corsaire  in  which  the  vul- 
ture of  Tunis  can  fix  his  talons.  He  views  his  prey 
in  the  west.  My  suspicions  of  the  hostile  disposition 
of  this  regency  towards  the  United  States  are  sup- 
ported by  testimony  which  renders  the  fact  unequiv- 
ocal. The  late  Ambassador  from  this  to  x\lgiers  was 
charged  to  intimate  to  the  Dey,  that  ^^  the  Bey,  having 
limited  the  period  of  his  forbearance  witli  the  United 
States  to  six  months  from  the  departure  of  their  A- 
gent's  dispatches,  trusts  the  Bey  would  not  interfere, 
if,  after  the  lapse  of  said  period,  in  case  of  failure  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  he  should  adopt  strong 
measures.''  This  is  said  to  have  excited  some  agi- 
tation at  that  court,  and  to  have  drawn  from  the  Bey 
professions  of  his  friendship  towards  us  :  but  noth- 
ing appears  in  his  dispositions  to  evidence  any  oppo- 
sition to  the  measure.  When  one  sound  argument 
can  be  introduced  founded  in  facts,  or  in  the  interest 
or  good  faith  of  the  Bey  of  Algiers,  to  induce  his  ef- 
fectual interference  in  belialf  of  the  United  States, 
then  let  us  rely  on  this  interference  :  but  if  facts,  no 
less  than  circumstances,  go  to  prove  the  contrary,  let 


116  LIFE   OF 

US  no  longer  be  amused.  Is  not  Algiers  allied  with 
Tunis  by  blood,  religion,  lionovy  (there  is  honor  a- 
mong  thieves, J  and  by  the  closer  ties  of  interest?  The 
same  instant  that  the  ambassador  made  tiiis  commu- 
nication he  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Dey  a  present, 
valued  in  Tunis  at  thirty  thousand  and  seven  hun- 
dred dollars  ;  being  the  amount  of  the  annual  tribute 
and  extraordinary  regalia.  This  was,  of  itself, 
sufficient  to  compose  the  soul  of  the  Potent  Beast 
at  that  moment,  if  he  had  seen  the  whole  Chris- 
tian  world  inveloped  in  destruction.  But  the  Dey 
dares  not  use  his  influence  for  us  if  disposed.  What ! 
Turk  betray  the  interest  of  Turk.  Mussulman  cut 
the  throat  of  Mussulman  ;  and  pirate  oppose  the  in- 
terest of  allied  pirate,  to  aid  the  interest  of  infidels, 
dogs,  slaves  !  for  his  life  he  dares  not !  He  would  see 
revenge  and  death  brandished  against  him  on  the 
blade  of  every  Mussulman's  otagan.  I  affirm  that  he 
has  no  serious  inclination  to  aid  our  measures  here. 
It  is  ascertained  that  the  important  letters,  put  into 
the  hands  of  Mr.  Cathcart  and  myself  to  insure  the 
success  of  our  negociation  here  and  at  Tripoli,  were 
merely  letters  of  civility  and  calculated  to  amuse  us. 
What  else  did  they  avail  ?  *  *  *  ■  *  * 
On  the  2()th  September,  Hassen  Alzeri  was  stran- 
gled by  the  Bey  !  This  young  prince  was  the  de- 
scendant in  the  third  degree  in  the  right  line  from 
the  predecessor  of  the  father  of  the  present  Bey. 
He  had  been  confined  from  infancy  in  Algiers,  until 
about  seven  years  ago,  when  he  made  his  escape 
hither  by  the  agency  of  the  Bey,  under  tlie  appear- 
ance of  friendship  ;  but  more  probably  to  acquire  a 
more  immediate  ascendency  over  his  life  and  for- 
tune. Tlie  soldiers  who  were  ordered  to  seize  him 
durst  not  approach  him.  He  threw  away  his  arms 
and  said,  advance  !  What  alarms  you  ?  They  con- 
ducted him  to  the  place  of  execution.  The  mutes 
approached  him  with  caution.  Execute  your  or- 
ders, cowards  !  said  he  ;  and  snatching  the  cord 
from  their  hands  and  placing  it  about  his  neck,  and 


GEK.    EATON.  H7 

putting  liis  hands  behind  him,  ordered  them  to  tie 
liim.  "Looking  upon  his  friends,  who  stood  about 
him,  he  said  ;  If  I  have  wronged  you,  forgive  me  :  t 
go  to  the  tomb  of  mi/ fathers  ;  and  was  strangled. 
He  was  conducted  in  a  cart  to  that  tomb  without  a 
single  follower.  About  the  same  time  a  slave  was 
bastinadoed  to  death  in  the  palace.  Hamuda  Bash- 
mv  is  considered  a  mild  prince.     ***** 

The  special  reasons  which  induced  Doctor  Shaw 
to  leave  the  Sophia,  I  leave  to  him  to  detail.  They 
"were  such  as  I  considered  wonld  at  least  justify  me 
in  countenancing  the  measure  ;  especially  as  it  ap- 
peared to  be  the  result  of  an  anangement  made  by 
Captain  Geddes  himself,  and  founded  in  a  settled 
animosity  between  the  officers  of  the  brig,  and  the 
Doctor.  I  have  continued  his  pay  agreeably  to  his 
appointment  up  to  the  21st  of  August  last ;  and  have 
given  him  reason  to  expect  it  to  be  continued  until 
he  shall  have  arrived  at  tiie  seat  of  government,  and 
shall  have  delivered  these  dispatches  with  which  he 
is  charged.  My  inducements  for  sending  him  at 
this  moment,  and  in  this  manner,  to  America,  are  to 
communicate  to  government  certain  and  correct  in- 
formation of  the  existing  state  of  affairs  here,  and  to 
use  the  measure  as  an  argument  for  further  jforbear- 
ance,  if  necessary.  I  believe  the  step  dictated  by 
the  best  policy,  under  existing  circumstances  ;  hope 
it  may  receive  the  approbation  of  government,  and 
produce  the  intended  effects.  It  has  the  concur- 
rence of  the  Consul  at  Algiers  in  the  following 
words.  "  I  much  approve  of  all  you  have  done  rel- 
ative to  forwarding  Doctor  Shaw  :  I  hope  it  will  fa- 
cilitate the  stipulations.''  Mr.  Shaw  has  talents 
and  integrity  which  may  be  rendered  very  useful  to 
the  public  and  the  world,  if  suitably  patronized. 

Uh  Bee.  1799. 
With  infinite  satisfaction  I  have  the  honor  to  in- 
form you  that  within  a  fe^v  days  our  affairs  have  as- 
sumed a  new  and  promising  aspect.     Since  the  de- 


118  LIFE    OF 

parture  of  Doctor  Shaw  for  America  on  the  17th  Oc- 
tober, I  have  paid  court  to  the  vanity  and  avarice 
(predominant  passions)  of  the  Sapitapa  ;  and  have 
at  length  persuaded  him,  what  is  undoubtedly  true, 
that  he  would  ilnd  his  real  interest  more  secure  in  a 
commercial  intercourse  than  in  a  war  with  the  Unit- 
ed States  ;  and  that  Americans  would  be  his  safest 
carriers  to  Spain,  where  he  has  opened  an  extensive 
commerce,  the  ships  of  all  other  nations  being  inter- 
rupted either  by  the  ])e]ligerent  powers  of  Europe  or 
by  the  corsaires  of  Aly;iers.  I  observed  to  him  that 
the  conditions  of  these  advantages  were  known  to 
iiim  ;  that  I  had,  during  the  short  time  of  my  resi- 
dence here,  received  propositions  from  the  American 
consul  at  Leghorn  and  Barcelona,  to  introduce  a  trade 
here  ;  and  also  applications  from  two  American  mas- 
ters of  vessels,  to  get  them  freight  here  :  in  reply  to 
whicli  I  had  stated  to  them  the  articles  of  our  trea- 
ty :  since  which  I  had  heard  no  more  on  the  subject. 
It  was  only  necessary  to  inform  my  countrymen  that 
they  were  not  equally  respected  here  with  other  na- 
tions, to  determine  them  against  coming  here,  let  the 
considerations  of  individual  profit  he  what  they 
would.  He  noAv  experienced  the  truth  of  what  I 
eight  montlis  ago  declared  to  him  ;  that  no  Ameri- 
can merchantman  would  ever  enter  a  port  of  Tunis, 
unless  compelled,  until  they  should  be  informed  that 
the  terms  of  our  treaty  were  more  favorable. 

The  Sapitapa  acknowledged  a  propriety  in  my 
observations  ;  expressed  an  earnest  desire  to  employ 
Americans  as  carriers  to  Spain ;  and  intimated  his 
opinion,  that  if  the  regalia  arrived  in  season,  there 
would  then  be  no  impediment  to  an  arrangement  of 
our  affairs  more  satisfactoiily.  He  promised  to  open 
the  subject  to  the  Bey,  and  to  give  it  his  support, — 
He  entered  very  candidly  into  a  detail  of  the  causes 
whicli  had  embarrassed  our  nejrociations  Jiere,  which 
sliali  appear  at  large  on  my  jouriia],  but  which  may 
be  reduced  lierc  to  two  words,  French  intrigue  and 
Jeivish  injidelitif. 


GEN.    EATON.  119 

I  saw  the  Bey  this  morning,  and  have  his  promise 
for  forbearance  sixty  days.  In  the  mean  time,  it  is 
hoped,  we  may  liavc  arrivals  from  America.  Famin 
has  tried  to  insinuate  that  the  government  of  (he  U- 
nited  States  have  no  serious  intentions  of  fulfilling 
their  engagements  with  Tunis.  He  has  not  succeed- 
ed.— That  slave  has  been  a  thorn  in  my  side.  But 
he  has  now  no  influence  at  court.  The  Bey's  family 
physician  informed  me,  a  few  days  since  at  dinner 
with  me,  that  the  extraordinary  demand  for  jewels 
was  actually  projected  by  him,  (Famin)  and  stipu- 
lated after  my  arrival  at  Tunis.  That  the  Sapita- 
pa  hesitated  to  introduce  it,  as  it  had  not  been  stated 
in  any  of  his  former  communications  ;  and  that 
Famin  told  him  not  to  hesitate,  he  (Famin)  could 
find  document  to  support  the  demand.  I  have  uni- 
formly treated  this  French  pirate  with  polite  atten- 
tion, taking  care  to  keep  the  commanding  grounds, 
till  I  have  finally  defeated  all  his  projects  of  mis- 
chief :  and  if  nothing  interfere  with  my  present 
arrangements,  have  now  a  flattering  prospect  af  ulti- 
mately terminating  our  affairs  with  this  Regency, 
more  favorably  to  the  interests  of  the  United  States, 
and  more  conformably  to  the  instructions  of  the  gov- 
ernment. 

Three  things  have  operated  to  produce  this  change 
of  projects  at  court,  1 .  Doct.  Shaw's  departure  to 
America  ;  2.  the  Bey's  pursuasion  that  the  United 
States  after  obtaining  a  peace  witli  France,  will 
send  a  fleet  into  this  sea  ;  3.  The  Sapitapa's  desire 
to  employ  American  carriers. 

Extracts  from  Mr.  Eaton's  Jbitrwa/. 

May  "Mh.  The  Sophia,  Captain  Henry  Geddes, 
sailed  for  America. 

t^  Mustapha  Coggea,  the  Prime  Minister,  and 
the  Sapitapa,  keeper  of  the  great  Seal,  are  both 
slaves  to  the  regency  of  Tunis,  were  brought  from 
Georgia  in  Asia,   and  sold  for  money.     The  latter 


120  LLt'ii   01? 

was  purchased  by  the  Governor  of  Ifax,  and  remain- 
ed in  his  house  till  the  Bey  was  smitten  with  his 
charms,  and  demanded  him  of  his  master.  They 
became  renegades  at  an  early  period.  The  former 
is  a  brave,  discerning,  humane  old  man,  of  course 
generous  of  heart  and  liberal  of  sentiment :  the  lat- 
ter a  sly,  designing,  avaricious  beast,  and  of  course 
bigoted. 

On  their  decease  the  property  of  both  escheats  to 
the  Bey. 

i'hth.  Feast  of  Biram.  All  the  consuls  visited  the 
Bey  except  the  American,  who  excused  himself, 
having  three  days  before  fallen  from  a  horse  antl 
lamed  himself  in  the — will  ! 

Last  evening  tlie  governor  of  Porto  Farina  renew- 
ed his  application  for  a  present,  through  a  friend  ; 
intimated  that  all  nations  paid  hira  this  compliment 
on  sending  out  a  new  consul.  Delicacy  hindered 
his  personal  application.  He  is  a  man  of  the  first 
influence  among  Tunissian  governors.      *     *     * 

%Oth.  Walked  to  Carthage  :  sat  oif  at  6,  A.  M. 
and  arrived  half  past  eight.  Rambled  among  the 
ruins  till  half  past  twelve,  and  arrived  in  Tunis  at 
4,  P.  M.  Mercury  stood  at  96.  The  Moors  were 
reaping  their  corn.         *         *         *         *         * 

June  2ist.  The  old  Count  Porcela,  Sardinian  Am- 
bassador, concluded  a  stipulation  for  the  payment  of 
a  redemption  of  the  captives  of  St.  Piere,  and  all  the 
Christian  Consuls  were  desired  to  be  present  to  wit- 
ness the  contract.  I  had  for  a  number  of  days  been 
afflicted  with  an  aifection  in  my  head  which  had  in- 
duced me  to  wear,  under  my  hat,  a  Turkish  cap 
made  of  fine  wool  died  red.  On  entering  the  porch 
of  the  palace,  I  was  informed  that  I  could  not  be 
admitted  to  the  presence  of  the  Bey  with  this  cover. 
I  stated  my  reasons  for  wearing  it.  He  returned  for 
answer  that  no  ambassador  ever  came  before  him  cov- 
ered ;  and  as  it  was  the  usance  of  the  palace,  if  I  could 
dispense  with  it  till  I  had  passed  the  usual  ceremoni- 
al salute,  I  might  immediately  put  it  on  again.     I  a- 


GEN.    EATON.  1^1 

gi'eed.  But  the  Sapitapa,  availing  of  this  opportu- 
nity to  give  himself  consequence,  sent  me  word  that 
it  was  not  customary  for  Consuls  to  appear  before 
him  neither  covered.  I  replied,  that  as  usual  I 
should  take  oif  my  hat ;  but  did  not  feel  inclined  to 
take  off  my  ca^?,  as  it  was  inconvenient.  Some  in- 
termediate imparlance  took  place.  We  both  main- 
tained our  positions  ;  till  he  sent  me  word  that  if  I 
would  not  concede  the  point  I  could  not  see  hira. 
By  G**,  I  will  not  see  him  I  I  am  not  come  hither  to 
be  insulted  by  the  Sapitapa.  When  he  wishes  to  see 
me  he  will  send  for  me,  said  I,  and  bowing  apology 
to  the  consuls,  turned  on  my  heels,  walked  to  my 
carriage,  mounted  and  ordered  the  Moor  to  drive  off. 

This,  however  trifling,  was  a  subject  of  much 
^speculation  to  the  Consuls.  Those  who  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  born  in  the  country,  gazed  with  as- 
tonishment. The  others  stifled  a  laugh.  "  Who  is 
this  American  ?''  said  the  Sapitapa.  ^^  You  must 
know,"  said  the  British  Consul,  "that  he  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  an  independent  and  a  brave  nation,  2cho 
descended  from  the  English,  and  you  will  do  well 
to  be  reconciled  to  him." 

27th,  On  the  S7th,  I  received  a  polite  invitation 
to  dine  with  the  Sapitapa,  at  his  garden,  in  company 
with  the  English  and  Dutch  Consuls,  the  Portu- 
guese and  Sicilian  ambassadors,  the  Bey's  principal 
physician,  and  a  number  of  principal  Turks.  A 
thing  which  very  seldom  happens. 

2^th.  Received  a  letter  from  the  palace  express- 
ing the  Bey's  wish  to  see  me  there  tomorrow  morn- 
ing early. 

SOth.  Five  in  the  morning,  at  the  palace.  The 
Bey  demanded  that  I  should  immediately  charter  a 
vessel  to  the  United  States,  to  expedite  out  the 
stores  ;  said  he  had  not  a  spar  nor  a  plank  in  his 
magazines  ;  recapitulated  the  old  song  of  grievance 
and  delay  ;  and  insisted  on  this  measure  v/ith  a  tone 
of  imperioHsness. 

16 


iSS  LIFE    OF 

lu  a  very  few  Avords  I  convinced  liim  that  th^ 
measure  was  impracticable.  He  shewed  much  agi- 
tation ;  doubted  the  sincerity  of  our  governraentc  and 
suspected  in  them  an  intention  of  evasion  ;  said  three 
months  of  tlie  time  of  forbearance  iiad  already  elaps- 
ed ;  andj  counting  with  his  fingers,  said,  "  Novem- 
ber !  If  you  will  not  comply  with  my  demand,  and 
the  regalia  do  not  appear  by  the  first  of  November, 
I  shall  take  steps  to  recover  for  myself  suitable 
damages  for  the  disappointment.^'  I  addressed  his 
reason,  for  he  is  really  a  very  reasonable  man,  stated 
the  date  of  the  Sophia's  departure  from  Algiers,  the 
rout  she  took,  and  the  probable  time  of  the  voyage  ; 
and  pledged  myself  that  the  regalia  would  be  for- 
warded without  delay.  He  seemed  dissatisfied.  A 
project  presented.  I  proposed  taking  a  passage  my- 
self to  America  to  iiurry  on  the  stores  ;  imagining 
that  if  once  off,  he  could  not  honorably  use  violence 
against  us  till  he  should  at  least  hear  from  me.  The 
stratagem  succeeded.  He  saw  not  the  object ;  clos- 
ed with  the  plan  ;  and  I  engaged  to  embark  in  five 
days. 

July  Sist.  At  the  palace.  Made  arrangements  foi- 
the  management  of  our  affairs,  and  announced  Dr. 
Shaw  as  charged. — Took  leave. 

August  ist.  Five,  A.  M.  at  the  palace.  After 
much  interlocutory  conversation,  the  Bey  intimated 
doubts  of  the  propriety  of  proceeding  on  the  voyage  ; 
and  with,  much  fairness,  stated  the  objections  wJiich 
suggested  themselves  :  thought,  on  the  whole,  it 
would  be  better  to  suspend  tlie  enterprize  till  I  should 
hear  from  America  :  and  agreed  to  wait  patiently  till 
thefirsst  of  January.         *         *         *         *         * 

If  the  United  States  persist  in  resignation  and 
passive  ohedience,  they  will  find  tliat  "  Qui  se  fait 
brebis  le  lonp  le  mange."  He  who  makes  himself  a 
sheep  must  expect  to  be  devoured  by  the  wolf. 

August  5th.  The  Tunissians  have  little  or  no  liti 
g^tion^  because  they  have  no  attornies  among  them 


GEN.    EATON.  123 

They  have  no  domestic  scandal  and  neighbor- 
liood  bickering,  because  they  shut  up  their  women. 

Their  young  men  are  muscular,  athletic,  hale  and 
enterprizing,  because  they  have  no  access  to  inebria- 
tion and  venery. 

Their  married  men  are  inert  and  domestic,  being 
permitted  a  plurality  of  wives  they  are  always  re- 
laxed and  forever  jealous  :  and,  being  in  the  perpet- 
ual habit  of  smoking  tobacco,  they  have  an  eternal 
propensity  to  sleep. 

Considered  as  a  nation,  ihey  are  deplorably 
wretched,  because  they  have  no  property  in  the  soil 
to  inspire  an  ambition  to  cultivate  it.  They  are  ab- 
ject slaves  to  the  despotism  of  their  government  :  and 
they  are  *  humiliated  by  tyranny  the  worst  of  all  ty- 
rannies, the  desjiotism  of  priestcraft.  They  live  in 
more  solemn  fear  of  the  frowns  of  a  bigot  who  has 
been  dead  and  rotten  above  a  thousand  years,  than 
of  the  living  despot  whose  frown  would  cost  them 
their  lives. 

Their  manners  are  simple,  their  living  tempera'te, 
and  their  conversation  generally  without  dissimula- 
tion. They  have  no  midnight  revels  ;  no  assaults 
and  batteries,  and  very  seldom  assassinations.  The 
deplorable  wretchedness  which  always  attaches  it- 
self to  seduction,  and  which  so  frequently  wounds 
the  eye  of  sensibility  in  every  village  in  the  Chris- 
tian  world,  is  unknown  here  :  because  they  impris- 
on their  girls. 

Maxims  of  Hamuda  Bashaw,  Bey  of  Tunis, 
{worthy  a  Christian  Prince. J 

Never  jutlge  the  cause  of  a  friend  :  for,  however 
just,  suspicion  will  pronounce  it  partiality  ! 

Have  no  intimacy  with  the  great  men  of  the  king- 
dom, lest  they  gain  an  ascendency  over  the  mind, 
and  divert  the  attention  from  the  duties  of  kindness 
and  equity  towards  the  common  subject. 

Suffer  no  fees  to  be  received  for  administration  of 
justice  ;  lest  avaricious  men  should  devise  means  t© 
,make  a  commerce  of  it. 


1S4  LIFE    OF 

Admit  no  advocates,  because  simple  statements 
generally  lead  to  the  clearest  truths.     *     *     *     * 

iith.  Some  good  friend  had  informed  the  Bey 
that  I  had  an  elegant  Grecian  mirror  in  my  house. 
To  day  he  sent  a  request  for  it,  pretending  that  he 
^vanted  it  for  the  cabin  of  his  pleasure  boat,  now  a- 
bout  to  be  launched.  So  it  is.  If  the  Consuls  have 
a  good  piece  of  furniture,  or  any  other  good  thing 
which  strikes  with  the  Bey's  fancy,  he  never  hesi- 
tates to  ask  for  it  :  and  they  have  no  alternative  but 
to  give  it.  They  have  suffered  this  to  become  us- 
ance also. 

i2th.  Sent  the  Bey  the  mirror. 

The  following  copy  of  a  Letter  from  Admiral  Nel~ 
so'^^ procured  by  Mr.  C  athc  art  and  sent  to  Eaton, 
though  not  connected  with  the  present  subject,  is  a 
curiosity  well  worth  preservation  and  perusal. 

Vanguard,  Palermo,  April  28th,  1799. 
Sir, 

WHEN  I  received  your  Highness's 
letter  by  Capt.  Hardy,  of  the  Vanguard,  I  was  re- 
joiced to  find  that  you  had  renounced  the  treaty  you 
had  imprudently  entered  into  with  some  of  the  emis- 
saries of  General  Buonaparte,  that  man  of  blood, 
that  despoiler  of  the  weak,  that  enemy  of  all  good 
Mussulmen  ;  for  like  Satan  he  only  flatters  that  he 
may  the  more  easily  destroy.  And  it  is  true  that 
since  the  year  1789,  all  Frenchmen  are  exactly  of 
the  same  disposition.  I  had  sent  your  letter  to  the 
great  King  my  master  ;  I  had  done  the  same  to  the 
grand  Signior  ;  for  I  never  believed  that  your  high- 
ness would  say  a  word  that  was  not  most  strictly 
true  ;  a  lie  is  impossible  for  a  true  Mussulman  to 
tell  ;  at  least,  I  had  always  believed  so.  What 
then  must  have  been  my  astonishment,  to  have  heart! 
from  his  Britanic  Majesty's  Consul  General,  Mr. 
Lucas,  tliat,  the  moment  the  Vanguard  sailed,  the 
Incncii  Consul  and  all  the  French  were  liberated  ; 


GI:N.    EATON.  1S5 

and  also  the  French  vessels  in  port  allowed  to  fit 
for  sea ;  and  one,  to  my  knowledge,  had  sailed  for 
Malta.  Why  will  your  highness  be  thus  led  astray 
by  evil  counsellors,  who  can  have  no  other  object  in 
view,  but  your  ruin. 

Your  highness  knows  that  although  a  powerful 
squadron  of  Portuguese  ships  has  been  since  last  Au- 
gust under  my  command ;  that  by  every  means  in 
my  power,  they  have  been  prevented  from  cruising 
against  the  ships  of  your  highness,  or  from  approach- 
ing your  coast. 

It  is  now  my  duty  to  speak  out,  and  not  to  be  mis- 
understood. That  Nelson,  who  has  hitherto  kept 
your  powerful  enemy  from  destroying  you,  can  and 
will  let  them  loose  upon  you,  unless  the  following 
terms  are,  in  two  hours,  complied  with  :  viz.  that 
the  French  Consul  and  Vice  Consul,  and  every 
Frenchman,  are  delivered  on  board  her  most  faithful 
Majesty's  ship  Alphonso,  to  Commodore  Campbell, 
in  two  hours  from  Mr.  Lucas  setting  his  foot  on 
shore. 

That  hostages  are  also  sent  on  board  to  remain 
till  every  Frenchman  in  the  state  of  Tripoli  shall  be 
sent  off,  which  shall  not  exceed  four  days.  N.  B. 
There  shall  be  no  reservation  or  trick  about  the 
French  Consul  at  Tripoli  :  he  shall  be  on  board  in 
two  hours  from  the  demand  being  made. 

All  French  vessels,  or  vessels  pretended  to  be 
taken  from  the  French,  shall  be  destroyed  in  two 
hours.  These  terms  complied  with.  Commodore 
Campbell  will,  as  he  has  done  upon  the  passage,  re- 
frain from  taking  your  vessels,  until  his  arrival  at 
Palermo.  If  these  proper  terms  are  not  complied 
with,  I  can  no  longer  prevent  the  ships  of  lier  most 
faithful  Majesty  from  acting  with  vigor  against  your 
highness. 

Your  highness  will,  v/ithout  difficulty,  write  me  a 
letter,  the  substance  of  which  will  be  dictated  by 
Mr.  Lucas  :  you  will  also,  as  a  convincing  proof  of 
your  detestation  of  the  evil  councils  which  liave  been 


tS6  LIFE   OF 

given  you  by  Hamet  Rais,  your  Capt.  of  the  Port, 
cither  cause  him  to  be  delivered  to  Commodore 
Carapbcllj  that  I  may  send  Jiim  to  Constantinople, 
or  dispose  of  him  in  such  a  manner  that  he  may  for- 
ever be  incapable  of  giving  your  highness  any  ad- 
vice ;  for  his  heart  is  so  black  that  I  am  informed 
he  can  give  you  no  good. 

Your  highness  will,  1  am  confident,  approve  of 
the  opeii  and  unreserved  manner  of  this  letter,  and 
consider  it  as  a  proof  of  the  honest,  upright  intentions 
of  the  great  MONARCH  whom  I  have  the  honor  of 
serving  ;  and  that  it  comes  fro«m  your  highnesses 

Most  attached 
and  faithful  Servant^ 
fSignedJ    NELSON. 
Mis  Highness  the 
Bashaw  ofTrijwli. 


To  Mr.  Pickering. 


Dec.  i5th,  1799. 


On  the  6th  instant  I  had  the  honor  to  inform  you 
of  the  more  favorable  prospect  of  our  aiFairs.  I  now 
confirm  that  information.  The  principal  cause  of 
which  is  the  interest  which  the  Sapitapa  views  in  his 
future  employment  of  American  bottoms  to  carry  for 
him  to  Spain,  all  others  of  neutral  powers  being  in 
danger  from  the  Algerines.  This  circumstance 
promises  an  issue  of  our  negociations  corresponding 
with  the  Avishes  of  our  government,  provided  the  re- 
galia arrive  before  a  negociation  for  a  peace  be  set 
on  foot  iu  Europe  ;  in  which  case  we  shall  have  to 
combat  the  whole  commercial  influence  of  France. 

The  Bev's  Chamberlain  tlined  with  me.  After 
plying  liim  plentifully  with  wine  he  ran  over  the  com- 
mencement and  progress  of  the  American  affairs,. 
Said,  after  my  arrival  at  Biscrte,  Famin  was  con- 
stantly atBardo,  importuning  the  Bey  to  refuse  me 
an  audience,  stating  the  infidelity  and  ingratitude  of 
die  United   States  in  general,  and  particularly  as  it 


GEN.    EATON.  1S7 

respected  his  nation  and  himself  personally  ;  insinu- 
ating that  this  innovation  upon  their  establishment 
made  here,  of  a  Consul,  was  undoubtedly  aiming  at 
some  evasion  of  fulfilling  the  engagements  stipulated 
by  treaty  ;  and  urging  the  services  he  had  rendered 
and  was  always  ready  to  render  his  Excellency. 
The  Sapitapa  was  in  favor  of  Famin.  The  old  Min- 
ister Mustapha  Coggea,  was  against  the  measure. 
The  Bey  balanced  two  or  three  days  ;  and  then  an- 
swered Famin  :  "  You  have  told  me  repeatedly  that 
you  were  appointed  by  the  Prince  of  America  his 
Consul  General  near  me,  and  that  by  the  first  arrivals 
you  should  receive  your  credentials  :  Instead  of  this 
you  now  inform  me  that  America  has  deceitfully  sup- 
planted you,  and  their  proper  Consul  is  now  in  one 
of  my  ports  ;  and  you  demand  of  me  to  avenge  your 
wrong  by  refusing  this  agent  a  hearing.  I  do  not 
know  but  all  you  have  told  me  is  true  ;  but  I  am  ap- 
prehensive you  have  not  told  me  all  that  is  true  :  this 
Consul  at  least  may  throw  light  in  my  path  ;  and  it 
will  be  early  enough  to  send  him  back  when  I  shall 
have  examined  whether  he  be  the  messenger  of  good 
or  of  evil.  At  any  rate  you  connot  be  accredited 
any  longer  as  the  representative  of  that  nation,  unless 
you  produce  the  credentials  which  you  have  so  often 
assured  me  were  made  out  for  you.'' 

Famin  then  offered  the  Sapitapa  to  double  tlie  rent 
of  his  house,  if  he  would  consent  to  let  him  cut  down 
the  American  flag  and  remain  in  it.  The  Sapitapa 
inclined  both  towards  Famin  and  the  rent  :  but  his 
ambition  of  having  the  American  flag  flying  upon  his 
liouse,  overcame  his  avarice  and  his  friendship. 

After  my  arrival,  Famin  took  every  occasion  of 
my  absence  from  Bar  do,  to  be  thci^e  ;  and  to  iuforce 
the  idea  of  the  infidelity  of  the  United  States.  Said 
they  were  tlie  d'lpes  of  Algiers  ;  that  their  Consul 
v/as  nothing  but  a  vice  Consul,  subject  to  the  Consul 
general  at  Algiers,  and  only  placed  here  as  a  spy  : 
that  the  Consul  general  was  no  other  than  a  slave  to 
tlie  Dey  of  Algiers,  wlio  merited  rather  to  be  coiisid- 


138  LIFE    OP 

ered  an  instrument  of  the  Dey  than  a  foreign  minis- 
ter :  and  that  he  had  actually  consigned  the  vice  Con- 
sul here  to  Bradi,  the  Algeriue  Vickil. 

To  which  the  Bey  answered,  "  Patience  !  time 
proves  all  things.  I  must  receive  the  proper  minis- 
ter of  the  American  Prince." 

This  chamberlain  is  the  humble  friend  of  the  Bey, 
who  has  been  twenty  two  years  in  this  service ;  and, 
though  his  freedom  has  been  given  him,  he  prefers 
his  place  to  returning  to  Europe.  He  is  harmless, 
friendly,  and  generally  silent  :  but  is  vulnerable  in 
his  head  ! 

Jan.  ist,  1800. 

On  the  27th  December,  I  received  a  letter  from 
Mr.  O'Brien,  inclosing  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Smith,  at  Lisbon,  which  stated  that  the  frigates,  U- 
nited  States  and  Constitution,  were  about  to  sail  for 
the  Mediterranean  in  August  last  ;  and  that  they 
were  probably  to  have  in  charge  the  articles  intended 
for  the  Regencies.  Tliis  information  I  immediately 
communicated  to  the  Bey  ;  adding,  that  he  should 
be  satisfied  that  the  regalia  were  under  way  :  hoped 
it  would  arrive  in  January. 

Feb.  ist,  1800. 
Sir, 

Since  informing  the  Bey,  by  the  authority  of  Mr. 
Smith's  letter  to  Capt.  O'Brien,  that  the  articles  in- 
tended for  the  regency  of  Tunis  were  under  way,  I 
have  been  only  once  at  the  palace.  Tins  audience 
was  consumed  in  talking  of  the  lengih  of  the  voyage, 
inclemency  of  the  season,  and  inconstancy  of  the 
winds. 

I  have  no  doubt  of  amusing  tlie  JBey  until  certain 
intelligence  arrive  concerning  the  expected  regalia  ; 
provided  this  information  arrive  before  the  spring 
season  invite  the  corsairs  to  sea. 

March  ist,  1800. 

My  last  audience  wit]i  the  Sapitapa  assured  him 
that  our  vessels,  destined  for  the  regencies,  were  ])ut 
in  quarantine  at  J^sbun.     I  know  not  what  to  mnlce 


QEX.    EATON.  Igg 

my  dernier  resort.  Tliis  is  an  anxious  moment.  A 
storm  is  gathering.  Nothing  can  be  added  to  the 
voluminous  reports  already  made  on  this  subject. 
Unless  something  appear  for  us,  a  short  time  will 
prove  that  my  conjectures  have  been  but  too  accurate 
and  my  alarms  but  too  well  grounded.  It  is  known 
at  the  palace  that  there  are  forty  American  merchant- 
men at  anchor  in  the  port  of  Leghorn  :  and  seventy- 
four  days  have  brought  information  from  America  of 
the  death  of  the  illustrious  General  Washington,  via. 
Leghorn.  These  communications,  and  every  other 
concerning  us,  are  made  by  Famin  to  the  Sapitapa. 
The  conclusion  is  natural ;  "  the  United  States  can 
as  safely  and  as  expeditiously  send  ships  to  Tunis  as 
to  Leghorn. 

March  8//z,  1800. 

The  copy  of  a  letter  to  Mr.  Appleton,  herewith 
inclosed,  requires  no  explanation.  It  may  suggest 
to  the  department  of  State  whether  there  would  not 
be  a  propriety  in  cautioning  the  Consuls  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  against  too  liberal  a  diifusion  of  the  privu 
leges  of  American  citizenship.  It  is  not  impossible, 
however,  that  Alberganty,  a  native  Italian,  may  be 
among  Judge  M'K--n's  American  citizens,  as  he  was 
certainly  in  Americti,  Philadelphia,  in  I796,  and  is  a 
blustering  Jacobin. 

Policy  has  induced  me  to  grant  Famin  a  letter  of 
protection  ;  but  I  have  since  obtained  proofs  so  in- 
controvertible of  his  fraudulent  negociation ;  and 
have  such  evidence  of  his  persevering  intrigues  to 
defeat  the  success  of  our  measures  with  this  regency ; 
that,  the  moment  our  affairs  will  admit  of  the  step,  I 
will  withdraw  that  protection,  denounce  him  at  the 
palace,  and  to  the  world.  This  will  arrest  the  prog- 
ress of  his  mischief  as  an  American  citizen,  and  will 
prevent  his  doing  further  injuries  to  us  in  a  character 
which  has  attached  to  him  more  credit  than  his  per- 
sonal merit.  But  it  will  draw  upon  me  the  full  ex- 
ercise of  his  malignity.  The  most  which  can  result 
from  it  is  assassination  ;  to  execute  which,  I  do  «ot 

17 


ISO  LIFE   Of 

doubt  his  disposition,  if  he  had  courage  to  attempt  it 
A  man,  who  could  dance  in  the  ruins,  on  hearing  of 
t  he  assassination  of  his  principal,  Robespiere,  may- 
be suspected  of  any  thing.  I  am,  however,  at  all 
times  prepared  against  a  ruffian.  Herculais'  com- 
mission was  signed  by  Robespiere  ;  his  measures 
here,  were  dictated  by  the  French  policy  of  that  ty- 
rant's day  :  and  Famin  was  selected,  by  Herculais, 
from  among  a  hundred  other  Frenchmen,  as  the  most 
suitable  character  to  push  those  measures,  and  em- 
barrass the  United  States.  There  lives  not  unhung 
a  character  more  false,  a  knave  more  abandoned, 
nor  a  villain  more  abject,  than  our  cidevant  agent, 
here.  Mr.  Barlow's  faith  in  Herculais,  and  conse- 
quent confidence  in  his  agent  here,  is,  perhaps,  a- 
mong  the  inexplicable  errors  to  which  good  men  arc 
sometimes  incident. 

I  waited  on  the  Bey- yesterday.  He  permitted  me 
to  kiss  his  hand  :  frowned  a  menace,  and  said  not  a 
single  word  to  me. 

Mr.  Pickering  to  Eaton. 

Department  of  State^ 
Philadelphia  J  Jan.  i^th,  ISOO. 

SlE, 

I  have  reserved  for  a  separate  letter  the  Presi- 
dent's determination  on  the  subject  of  the  Jewels 
demanded  by  the  Bey  of  Tunis.  In  his  letter  to  the 
President,  of  which"^  I  inclose  you  a  copy,  you  v/ill 
see  that  he  persists  in  his  claims  :  but  not  in  terms  so 
decided  as  in  his  conversations  with  you.  Perhaps 
it  may  be  parried,  or  at  least  reduced  to  one  half  the 
amount.  Since  you  wrote,  you  may  have  ascertain- 
ed what  other  powers,  as  well  as  Spain,  have  given 
on  similar  occasions.  I  am  aware  that  the  delay  is 
unfavorable  ;  but  if  he  ^vaits  the  arrival  of  the  Hero, 
with  her  valuable  cargo  of  naval  and  military  stores, 
an  earnest,  besides,  that  the  residue  will  come,  I  hope 
he  will  be  softenecl  ;  and  that  you  will  citheT  do  a- 
way  his  claim  or  reduce  it  to  a  small  value  iu  some 


GEN.    EATON.  ISl 

of  the  most  conspicuous  articles  in  his  list.  You 
will  well  consider  how  this  affair  may  be  best  con- 
(kicted  ;  and  act  as  you  shall  think  most  advanta- 
geous for  the  interest  of  the  United  States.  It  will 
not  >do  to  lose  our  peace  with  Tunis  for  the  value  of 
these  presents.  You  suppose  the  estimate  to  be  ex- 
travagant :  doubtless  the  articles  are  set  at  tlie  Jew 
prices,  and  that  for  a  much  less  sum,  they  may  be 
procured  from  England.  If  therefore,  you  are  com- 
pelled to  give  the  presents,  secure  time  enough  to 
get  them  in  England.  Some  must  prol)ably  be  man- 
ufactured  for  the  purpose  :  and  the  whole  may  re- 
quire a  year  to  be  procured.  In  the  mean  time,  as 
he  wants  something  to  be  seen,  a  few  articles,  most 
showy,  may  be  procured  at  Tunis.  If  he  objects  to 
the  proposed  delay,  you  can  answer  that  the  Presi- 
dent felt  a  conMence,  that  on  further  reflection  upon 
all  circumstances  in  relation  to  the  United  States,  he 
would  relinquish  the  claim,  and  therefore  did  not 
give  orders  to  provide  the  present,  &e. 

fSignedJ 
TIMOTHY  PICKERING. 

To  William  Eatox,  JEsq. 

The  PRESIDEiSTT  of  the  UNITED  STATES 

OF  AMERICA, 
To     HAMOUDA  PACHA,   BEY    of   TUNIS, 

THE     WELL     GUARDED  CITY  AND  ABODE    OF 

FELICITY. 

I  HAVE  received  your  letter  of  the  30th  of  A- 
pril  1799,  answering  to  the  25th  of  the  Moon  Kaada, 
of  the  year  of  the  Hegira  1S13  ;  and  take  this  occa- 
sion to  express  to  you  my  thanks  for  the  attention 
shown  to  my  Deputies,  William  Eaton  and  James 
Leander  Cathcart,  who  were  charged  to  arrange 
anew  with  you  some  articles  of  the  treaty  of  peace  and 
amity  between  us.  It  gives  me  pleasure  also  tliat 
vou  have  received  Mr.  Eaton  for  tlie  Consul  of  the 


1^  LWB   OF 

United  States,  and  assured  to  him  all  the  honors,  dis- 
tinctions and  prerogatives,  which  the  Consuls  of  oth- 
er nations  enjoy.  I  persuade  myself  that  by  his 
wise  and  discreet  deportment  he  will  shew  himself 
alike  worthy  of  your  regards  and  of  my  confidence. 

Nothing  could  be  more  grateful  to  me  than  the 
expression  of  your  desire,  that  in  consequence  of 
these  final  arrangements,  a  commerce  solid  and  lucra- 
tive, might  be  established  ;  and  that  Almighty  God 
would  cause  to  reign,  between  our  respective  nations, 
a  firm  and  durable  peace. 

With  respect  to  the  time  within  which  you  re- 
quired that  the  stipulated  stores  should  be  delivered, 
I  have  charged  Mr.  Eaton  to  explain  to  you  the  im- 
possibility of  a  compliance  :  and  will  now  only  ob- 
serve, that  of  the  six  months  proposed  for  that  pur- 
pose, four  had  elapsed  when  your  letter  and  the 
Consul's  dispatches  arrived  :  and  then  a  pestilence, 
raging  in  some  of  our  principal  cities,  by  causing  the 
inhabitants  to  flee  to  the  country,  and  suspending 
business,  rendered  delays  unavoidable.  But  you 
may  rest  fissured,  that  the  engagements  I  have  made 
with  you,  in  behalf  of  the  United  States,  will  be  per- 
formed with  perfect  good  faith  ;  and  all  the  stipulat- 
ed naval  and  military  stores  be  delivered,  with  as 
much  dispatch  as  the  great  distance  of  the  United 
States,  and  the  time  necessary  to  procure  the  stores, 
render  practicable.  Your  clear  and  eminent  discern- 
ment will  see  the  reasonableness  of  these  observa- 
tions ;  and  your  regard  to  justice  will  give  them 
their  due  weight. 

With  sentiments  of  high  consideration , 
I  remain  your  good  friend. 

Done  at  Philadelphia,  the  i5th  day  of  January 
1800,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 
the  twenty  fourth  year. 

JOHN  ADAMS, 
By  the  President, 

Timothy  Pickeking,  Secretary  of  State. 


GEN.   KATOX.  133 

March  Mst,  1800. 
To  Mr.  Pickering, 
Sib, 

ON  the  24th  instant  I  received  your  communica- 
iions  by  the  Sophia,  and  early  the  next  morning 
went  to  the  palace.  After  waiting  some  time  in  the 
antichamber,  on  account  of  the  indisposition  of  the 
Bey,  who  had  been  nine  days  dangerously  ill  of  a 
billious  putrid  fever,  I  was  admitted  to  an  audience  ; 
passed  the  usual  formalities  and  retired  into  tlie  cham- 
ber of  the  Minister,  (Sapitapa.)  I  stated  to  him  that 
1  had  yesterday  received  interesting  intelligence 
from  the  government  of  the  United  States,  among 
which  was  a  letter  from  the  President  to  the  Bey  ; 
and  desired  to  be  informed  when,  if  the  Bey's  health 
would  admit,  I  might  make  a  foj-mal  communica- 
tion ? 

''  Do  you  take  us  to  be  dupes  ?"  said  he.  ^^  You 
have  at  one  time  shewed  us  letters  from  your  minister 
at  Portugal,  at  another  from  youi'  Consul  general  at 
Algiers  ;  at  another  from  your  Consul  at  Leghorn  : 
at  one  period  your  regalia  were  under  convoy  of  two 
frigates  ;  at  another  in  quarantine  at  Lisbon  ;  and 
then  we  are  placed  at  our  windows  with  our  spy- 
glasses looking  for  the  arrival  of  vessels  wliich  sail 
in  air.  We  are  no  longer  to  be  amused-  It  is  not 
necessary  that  you  take  the  trouble  of  a.  formal  com- 
munication. I  now  candidly  advise  you,  (a  measure 
which  has  long  since  been  resolved  upon,)  that  the 
Corsaires*  now  bound  on  a  cruise  have  orders  to 
bring  in  Americans  :  and  for  this  purpose,  they  are 
ordered  to  cruise  off  the  coast  of  Spain  and  Portu- 
gal.'' 

I  began  an  explanation  on  the  inaccuracy  of  my 
former  communications.  He  interrupted  me,  and  re- 
peated, that  the  measure  was  resolved,  and  that  ex- 
planations were  needless. 

*  Three  in  number:  two.  the  property  of  the  Bey,  of  26  guns 
each  :  one  of  the  Sapitapa,  ot  20  guns. 


134l  LIFE   OF 

I  regretted  that  our  countrymen  should  be  set  up- 
on each  other  to  shed  blood.     But,  if  there  were  no 
alternative  ;  no  exji4anation  to  be  had  :  I  could  only- 
lament  the  calamity  with  the  sad  consolation  of  hav- 
ing used  my  best  efforts  to   avert  it.     I  would  how- 
ever inform"  him,  with  as  much  candor  as  he  appriz- 
ed me  of  the  resolution,  that  I  had,  long  since,  plac-, 
ed  my  countrymen  on  their  guard  against  this  event : 
that  our  merchantmen  were  well  armed  and  manned  : 
that  I  would  vouch  for  their  defending  themselves, 
for  that  they  were  not  novices  in  war,  and  despised 
slavery.     His   attention  was   arrested.     I  changed 
my  position,  and  took  up  the  explanation.     That  the 
communications  I  had  before  made,  were  unofficial, 
predicated  upon  letters  from  our  ministers  and  con- 
suls, whose  concern  for  the  peace  of  their  country  in- 
duced them,  perhaps,  to  place  too  implicit  reliance 
upon    incorrect   information.     This  I  now   ciFered 
was  direct  from  our  government,   including  a  letter 
from  our  President,  addressed  by  his  own  hand  to 
the  prince  of  this  Regency,  accompanied  by  the  trea- 
ty formally  ratified,  and  assurances   from  the  Prime 
Minister,  that  a  large  ship  was  now  under  way  for 
Tunis,  laden  with  naval   and  military   stores :  that 
these  dispatches  also  authorized  me  to  meet  the  de- 
mand of  the  Bey  for  jewels  in  a  manner   which,  I 
hoped,  would  be  satisfactory  to  him. 

"  It  is  very  well !  This  looks  a  little  more  like 
truth,"  said  the  minister :  "  but  we  will  not  aiTest 
the  cruise.  If  we  make  captures  of  Americans,  we 
Mill  send  the  Christians  (meaning  crews)  to  your 
house  ;  your  vessels  to  Porto  I^'arina  ;  and  their  car- 
goes we  will  safely  store.  They  shall  be  held  in  se- 
questration a  given  number  of  days,  in  expectation 
of  the  arrival  of  your  regalia  so  much  talked  about ; 
.  on  failure  of  which,  they  shall  be  good  prize/' 

I  answered,  that  a  step  of  this  kind,  if  it  went  on- 
ly to  secure  the  fulfilment  of  our  obligations,  would 
<iefeat  its  own  object  :  my  countrymen  would  not 
jield  to  it  witliout  resistance  :  and  that  revenge  and 


GEN.    EATON.  135 

blood  would  be  the  inevitable  consequence  of  at- 
tempting it.  I  desired,  therefore,  to  prevent  the  e- 
vils  which  might  and  most  certainly  would  result 
to  both  countries  from  this  project,  that  tlie  Bey- 
would  see  the  President's  letter,  and  hear  my  com- 
munications. 

He  paused.  An  English  gentleman,  who  was 
with  me,  and  to  whom  we  are  obliged,  urged  the 
reasonahleness  of  my  desire. 

The  minister,  after  recapitulating  his  detail  of  de- 
lays and  infidelities,  of  which  we  are  accused,  said, 
^'  I  will  see  my  master  tomorrow.  The  day  after, 
if  you  come  to  Bardo  (the  palace)  we  will  decide  on 
something." 

March  2Qth,  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  An  American 
ship,  Camilla,  Capt.  Samuel  Holmes,  of  Boston,  last 
from  Naples,  came  to  anchor  at  the  Goulette,  ad- 
dressed to  Julius  Csesar  Alberganty.  At  three, 
P.  M.  a  message  came  from  the  minister,  informing 
that  the  "  government  had  occasion  for  the  Ameri- 
can ship  now  at  the  Goulette."  I  replied  that  the 
message  should  be  answered  tomorrow%  In  the  in- 
terim, I  sent  the  Sapitapa  a  piece  of  superfine  blue 
cloth,  and  half  a  piece  of  scarlet,  which  I  had  the 
day  before  received  from  England,  intended  for  my 
own  use. 

This  day  was  employed  in  rendering  into  Italian, 
the  President's  letter  to  the  Bey,  his  ratification  of 
the  treaty,  and  such  of  the  communications  of  the 
Secretary  of  State  as  related  to  the  regalia  of  naval 
and  military  stores,  and  also  an  extract  of  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Appleton,  relative  to  the  eifect  the  last 
clause  of  the  13th  article  of  the^  treaty  had  produced 
in  the  minds  of  our  countrymen,  masters  of  vessels, 
at  Leghorn. 

27tli.  11,  A.  M.  At  the  palace.  Made  the  above 
communications  to  the  Bey.  He  expressed  great 
satisfaction  :  seemed  flattered  with  the  President's 
letter  ;  thanked  God  ;  and  hoped  the  safe  arrival  of 
the,  ship  5  but  observed,  ^*  I  see  nothing  here  about 


1S6  LIP£   OF 

the  jewels."  To  which  I  thought  proper  to  ^ay  : 
the  President  has  directed  me,  as?  a  furtlier  testimo- 
ny of  his  friendly  sentiments  towards  the  Bashaw  of 
Tunis,  to  procure  a  present  of  this  kind  also  from 
England,  but  has  limited  the  sum  destined  for  the 
purpose,  very  much  within  the  estimate  annexed  to 
the  note  given  of  the  jewels.  "  To  me,"  said  the 
Bey,  "  the  sum  limited  is  of  no  import.  I  shall  be 
satisfied,  provided  the  articles  come  according  to  the 
note."  He  said  nothing  of  the  demand  formerly 
started  of  a  cruiser.  And  he  gave  leave  for  Capt. 
Holmes  to  take  a  cargo  of  wheat  on  his  own  account. 

CIRCULAR. 

Consulate  afthe  Udited  States, 

Tunis,  iOth  April,  1800. 
Sir, 
Having  at  length  amicably  adjusted  the  affairs  of 
the  United  States  witli  the  Bey  and  Regency  of  Tu- 
nis, I  desire  you  will  communicate  this  agreeable  in- 
telligence to  the  masters  of  American  vessels,  and 
others  interested,  who  may  come  within  the  limits  of 
your  Consulate. 

The  principal  minister  of  the  Bey  has  pledged 
himself  that  the  last  clause  of  the  ISth  article  of  our 
treaty  with  this  Regency,  inserted  by  Joseph  Etien- 
ne  Famin,  shall  liave  the  same  effect  with  respect  to 
American  merchant  vessels  as  the  custom  of  all  other 
nations  at  peace  with  Tunis  has  established  with 
respect  to  their  own,  and  no  other.  There  is  there- 
fore now  no  danger  to  be  apprehended  from  Ameri- 
can vessels  visiting  this  coast  :  perfect  health  pre- 
vails here. 

lam,  Sir,  with  esteem  ami  regard, 
you  most  obedievt  Servant 
WILLIAM  EATON. 
Thomas  Appletox,  Esq. 

American  Consul  at  Leghorn. 


GEN.    EATON.  i_37 

Mmj  7th,  1800. 

After  the  storm  was  directed  from  the  United 
States,  it  lowered  over  Naples — passed  over  Spain, 
and  broke  upon  Denmark.         *         *        *         ^c 

In  October  1797;*  the  Bey  a^ddressed  a  letter  to  the 
king  of  Denmark,  containing  the  folloAving  modest 
article.  "  On  account  of  the  long /We?? rfsAf/j  which 
has  subsisted  between  us,  I  take  the  liberty  to  give 
you  a  commission  for  sundry  articles  of  naval  and 
military  stores,  as  per  note  subjoined,  which  I  find 
indispensable,  to  assist  me  in  certain  public  works 
now  in  operation.  I  give  you  six  months  to  answer 
this  letter,  and  one  year  to  forward  the  commission  : 
and,  remember,  if  we  do  not  receive  the  answer  and 
the  articles  in  the  time  limited,  we  know  what  steps 
to  take.^^ 

The  king  of  Denmark  did  not  give  this  commission 
the  prompt  attention  it  required.  He  however  order- 
ed out  a  ship,  laden  with  timber,  which  arrived  in 
the  summer  of  1798  ;  but  it  was  so  far  short  of  the 
Bey's  expectations,  that  he  rejected  the  compliment 
altogether,  even  after  it  was  unladen,  and  the  articles 
have  since  lain,  in  a  perishing  condition,  exposed  io 
the  open  elements. 

The  projects  the  Bey  has  been  meditating,  and 
which  were  actually  on  the  point  of  execution,  a- 
gainst  Jlmericans,  directed  his  thoughts  from  the 
Danes.  The  arrival  of  the  Heko  filled  his  eye  / 
(never  were  such  naval  stores  seen  in  Tunis.)  The 
Neapolitan  humility  suspended  his  operations  against 
that  kingdom  :  Spain,  about  the  same  time  sent  him 
a  douceur,  and  a  number  of  ship  builders  to  work  in 
his  dock  yard  at  Porto  Farina  :  and  the  cruisers  are 
consequently  let  loose  upon  Denmark.  Here  is  a 
demonstration  of  two  facts  I  have  before  stated  :  that 
the  cruisers  cannot  he  restrained  ;  and  that  treaties 
are  dead  languages  here.  Hence  also  may  be  infer- 
ed,  that  my  apprehensions  have  been  none  too  lively. 
If  the  Hero  had  miscarried,  no  document  could  have 
saved  us  until  the  arrival  of  the  spring  shipments, 

18 


138  LIFE    OF 

The  stars  are  beginning  to  acquire  gravity  liere^ 
I  wish  they  may  be  permited  to  receive  some  lustre. 
It  is  not  enough  to  tell  that  we  are  the  descendants 
of  the  English  :  conviction  of  some  kind,  if  it  be  on- 
ly the  construction  of  a  ship,  should  be  added,  that 
we  are  worthy  of  such  ancestors.  Notwithstanding 
our  present  flattering  prospect  of  our  affairs,  I  am 
still  of  opinion  it  would  be  well  to  show  one  or  two 
of  our  best  frigates  here.  It  would  be  better  if  they 
should  have  one  or  more  Frenchmen  in  tow.  This 
display  would  at  least  convince  the  cruisers  of  our 
ability  to  meet  them  on  their  own  ground  ;  and  it 
would  confirm  m  hat  I  have  uniformly  declared  at 
court,  and  what  has  been  as  uniformly  denied  by 
Famin,  that  it  is  not  our  weakness  hut  our  love  of 
peace  which  induces  the  concessions  we  inake.  It 
cannot  be  attended  with  great  extraordinary  expence, 
because,  it  is  presumed,  the  government  will  not 
risque  the  residue  of  the  regalia,  upon  which  so 
inuch  de))cuds,  to  the  laws  of  war,  I  say  laws  of  war, 
because,  if  at  peace  ourselves  with  France,  Tunis  is 
not ;  though  it  is  a  truth  beyond  a  doubt  that  these 
terrible  pirates  dare  not  cruise  against  the  terrible 
republic. 

If  the  residue  come  forward  safely  and  seasona- 
bly, and  the  jewels,  for  which  I  have  commissioned, 
we  may  calculate  on  twenty  or  thirty  years  tranquil- 
ity here.  A  trifling  defect  would  be  made  a  pretext 
for  a  rupture,  if  no  impressions  of  fear  be  made  with 
all  our  evidence  of  genero  sit V.       *        *       *       * 

*Muy  iOth.  Last  evening  his  Britanic  Majesty's 
Consul  General,  Peckins  Magra,  Esq.  at  the  Ameri- 
can house,  desired  me  to  consent  that  he  might  men- 
tion me  to  the  Duke  of  Portland  as  chars^e  des  af- 
fairs of  the  British  nation  in  case  of  accident  which 
should  render  the  oflice  vacant.  Major  Magra's  de- 
clining state  of  health,  probably,  induced  tliis  step. 
I  consented,  on  condition  that  the  confidence  should 
be  reciprocal  between  us.  To  this  he  agreed.  I 
hope  the  relation  of  the  two  governments  is  such  as 


GEN.    EATON.  139 

to  admit  the  propriety  of  the  measure.  This  gentle- 
man has  been  between  thirty  and  forty  years  in  the 
kino-'s  service,  twelve  in  this  regency  ;  a  man  of  ex- 
tensive information  and  strict  good  faith.  He  has 
an  English  head,  and  an  American  heart. 

May  nth,  1800. 

Yesterday  morning  a  Danish  merchantman  from 
Leghorn,  unapprised  and  unsuspicious  of  danger, 
anchored  at  the  Groulette.  No  sooner  was  the  flag 
distinguished,  than  Famin  wrote  express  to  Bardo, 
(the  palace)  tliat  a  Danish  ship  had  entered.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  early  information,  the  Bey  caused  to 
be  arrested,  the  Master  and  people,  before  they  could 
weigh  anchor  and  escape. 

Same  day  a  Danish  ship,  laden  with  coffee,  sugar 
and  other  West  India  produce,  was  sent  into  Biserte. 

Last  evening  his  Danish  Majesty's  Consul  Gener- 
al, Lewis  Hammekin,  Esq.  at  the  American  house, 
intimated  his  expectation  of  being  compelled,  by  im- 
perious circumstances,  to  leave  the  kingdom  ;  and 
desired  me,  in  such  case,  to  take  charge  of  the  affairs 
of  the  Danish  nation  here.  To  this  1  consented,  so 
far  as  to  be  the  medium  of  communication  for  his 
court.  I  know  no  contrasting  interests  between  the 
tw  o  courts  Avhich  render  this  compliance  improper. 

P.  S.  ISf/i  May.  At  Bardo,  to  day,  the  demand  of 
a  cruiser  was  revived  ;  and  a  ji.ved  time  insisted  on 
for  the  arrival  of  the  residue  of  the  regalia.  The 
former  was  rejected  without  debate  ;  the  latter  sus- 
pended  on  hope. 

June  24f/i,  1800. 
To  Mr.  Pickering. 

It  is  doubtless,  and  with  reason,  considered  as 
whimsical  as  absurd,  that  Barbary  Consuls,  boys 
whose  minds  have  been  formed  in  camps  and  pris- 
ons, should  intrude  counsel  to  men  fall  of  years  and 
wisdom.     Facts  demonstrate  the  position.     But,  if  it 


140  LIFE   OF 

be  admitted  that  moderate  capacities,  on  the  spot, 
may  discover  projects,  plots  and  intrigues,  hidden 
by  intermediate  space  from  the  eye  of  keen  penetra- 
tion ;  and  if  it  be  admitted  that  these  discoveries 
may  excite  a  restlessness  as  much  the  emotion  of 
patriotism  as  presumption,  it  may  be  also  hoped  tliat 
even  our  clamor  as  well  as  importunity,  may  be 
viewed  with  an  eye  of  grace,  at  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment. 

It  is  presumed,  Volney's  Travels  in  Egypt  and 
Assyria  have  been  read.  The  general  character 
there  given  the  Turks,  exactly  fit  them  here,  with 
this  addition,  that  the  insolence  of  the  Pachas  of  tlie 
Barbary  Regencies,  are  in  an  increased  ratio  to  their 
independence  on  the  Porte.  Ignorance,  exalted  to 
a  station  of  receiving  tribute  from  every  slave  below 
him,  from  the  wandering  Beduoin  to  the  sedentary 
Monarch  of  Spain,  feels  none  of  those  manly  re- 
straints of  justice,  which  the  balance  and  the  sword 
are  calculated  to  inspire  between  beings  mutually  a- 
fraicl  of  each  other  Refusal  of  a  favor  produces  in 
him  the  same  effect  as  in  an  ungoverned  brat  of  an 
indulgent  mother  :  he  will  tear  the  breasts  which 
have  nursed  him.  This  figure  is  farfetched  ;  it  is 
nevertheless  in  point ;  correction  is  as  feasible  in  one 
case  as  the  other  ;  and  correction  alone  will  reduce 
the  churl  to  decency. 

The  Danes  are  running  on  a  lee  shore  here. 
They  have  gone  aground  at  Algiers  and  Tripoli ; 
and  Sweden  keeps  company.  The  United  States 
have  been  beating  off  and  on,  ever  since  their  treaty 
oiamitif  with  France  ;  and  the  harbor  of  safety 
seems  as  distant  as  at  the  moment  of  their  departure 
from  their  own — dignity !  Can  avarice  and  tlie 
grave  be  satisfied  ?  Give  !  Give  !  is  the  eternal  cry  ! 
Every  breeze  will  waft  it  to  America  ;  and  as  often 
as  it  is  not  responded  with  accord  will  be  brandish- 
ed over  our  heads  the  otlas;an  of  a  contemptible  pi- 
I'ate  I  .    « 


GEN.    EATON.  Ill 

•^   We  Icnow  what  steps  to  take/'  says  the  Gener- 
al* of  16,000  ragged,  undisciplined  Turks  to  a  king 
of  Denmark  !  and  "  we  know  what   steps  to  take/' 
says  the  Captainf  of  an  undisciplined  squad  of  sun- 
burnt cavalry,   to    the   government   of  the   UnijLed 
States  !  Denmark,  like  a  proverbial  domestic  bird  of 
our  poultry  yards,  spreads    his  feathers,  swells  tlje 
magnitude  of  his  terrors,  swaggers   and  yields.     A- 
merica  yields  implicitly  !  If  there  were  a  rational 
hope  that  these  indignities  would  of  themselves  come 
to  a  crisis,  they  might  be  more  tolerable  :  but  if  it  be 
just  to  reason  from  analogy,  this  hope  is  abortive. 
When  lias  a  tyrant  ever  been  known  to  lift  his  foot 
from  the  neck  of  a  voluntary  slave  ?  Where  is  the 
evidence  of  Barbary's  iieing  satisfied  with  the  ^gen- 
erosity of  its  friends  ?  Does   Spain,  Italy,  Holland, 
Denmark,    Sweden,  exhibit  it  ?  Will   the  United 
States  ever  exhibit  it  ?  Never,  so  long  as  they   have 
powder  to  give,  and  want  the  energy  to  burn  it  ! 

"  Do   you  not  give  money  to  Algiers  ?"  says  the 
Organ  of  a  nation,  to  an  American  Envoy  !   ^'  Arc 
you  not  tributary  to  the  pitiful  sandbank  of  Tripoli  ?'* 
says  the   world  :  and  the  answer  is  affirmative  with- 
out a  blush  !    Habit   reconciles   mankind  to   every 
thing,  even  humiliation  ;  and  custom  veils   disgrace. 
But  what  would  the  world  say  if  Rhodeisland  should 
arm  two  old  merchantmen  ;  j)ut  an  Irish  renegade  in 
one,  and  a  Methodist  preacher  in  the  other,  and  send 
them   to  demand  a  tribute  of  the   Grand    Signior  r 
The  idea  is  rediculous  ;  but  (uily  so  because  novel  : 
it  is  exactly  as  consistent  as  that  Trij)oli  should  say 
to  the  American  nation,  "•  Give  we  tribute^  or  irem- 
hle  under  the  chastisemeyit  of  my  navy  P' (Oim   old 
clump  from  Boston^  and  a  polacre  or  two  from  some 
other  complaisant   christian  capitals,)  and  that   m^ 
yaukee   adventurers   should  succeed,   would  not  be 
more  unaccountable,  than  that  these  wretched  hordes 
of  sea  robbers  should  have  so  gotten  the  ascendancy 
of  the  enterprizing  world  ! 

^  Bashaw  of  Tunis.  |  Bashaw  of  Tripoli. 


142  LIFE  or 

Consul  Catheairt  is  undoubtedly  correct  when  he 
states  that  '^  two  of  our  frigates  and  four  gun  boats 
would  bring  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  to  terras  :"  but 
the  propriety  of  his  opinion,  that  it  would  he  best  to 
make  him  a  voluntary  j^re^ent,  may  be  questioned. 
If  Malta  should  revert  again  to  its  ancient  form  of 
government,  what  could  it  avail  us  ?  what  benefit 
have  we  ever  expected  from  its  Constitutional  hatred 
to  Mussulmen  ? 

Genoa  has  received  a  new  master  sufficiently  ma- 
jesterial,  it  is  presumed,  to  protect  her  from  Barbary 
insolence.  This  deprives  them  of  a  very  considera- 
ble resource.  All  their  booty  in  the  Mediterranean 
is  falling  into  the  hands  of  abler  freebooters.  They 
must  seek  it  then  in  foreign  markets.  It  is  no  less 
the  interest  of  all  commercial  Europe  to  point  them 
to  America,  than  it  is  theirs  to  take  that  direction. 
We  must  either  bribe  their  avarice  or  chastise  their 
audacity.  Riving  only  increases  their  avidity  for 
more.  We  have  the  only  alternative  tiien  to  yield 
unconditional  accord  to  their  claims,  or  straighten 
ourselves  up  a  little,  and  look  them  out  of  counte- 
nance. This  position  must  at  some  period  be  taken. 
Does  the  present  moment  forbid  it?  or  shall  we 
wait  a  little  longer  till  we  shall  have  reinforced  their 
navy  by  our  naval  and  military  regalia,  until  they 
become  formidable  to  us  ?  WJien  we  are  unlading 
these  regalia  in  their  ports.  Are  we  not  shedding 
the  blood  of  our  countrymen  ?  It  is  devoutly  to  be 
hoped  that  the  United  State  may  have  the  honor 
(very  easily  obtained)  of  setting  the  first  example,  a- 
mong  the  tributaries,  of  chastising  the  insolence  of 
their  lords.  If  Tripoli  persist,  does  not  Tripoli  in- 
vite the  experiment ;  and  is  not  the  occasion  a  good 
one  ?  Show  him  two  or  three  of  our  strongest,  best 
built  frigates.  Set  life  and  death  l)efore  liim.  Leave 
to  hira  the  choice.  If  he  prefer  the  latter,  give  it 
him.  There  is  nothing  impracticable  in  the  thing. 
The  Turks  are  a  contemptible  military,  and  at  sea, 
lubbers.     I  have,  by  accident,  been  three  days  and 


GEN.    EATON.  148 

two  nights  in  one  of  their  cors?irs  at  sea.  Our  sea- 
men of  the  north  may  give  them  cent  per  cent,  in 
numbers,  odds,  and  meet  them  on  any  ground  of  war, 
boarding  excepted. 

It  would  be  well,  on  their  return  or  passage  out, 
that  the  frigates  visit  Tunis.  I  will  invite  the  Sapi- 
tapa  and  a  brace  of  the  Bey's  governors  to  dine  in 
the  Commodore.  I  will  point  them  to  his  guns  and 
say,  "  See  there  our  executive  power  commissioned 
to  keep  treaties."  Do  these  sentiments  look  hostile  ? 
They  are  the  only  sure  guarantee  of  peace  !  xYU  ra- 
tional nature  may  be  adduced  to  evidence  it ;  and 
France  besides.  It  is  more  strikingly  true  in  a 
country  where  all  respect  is  denied  to  every  thing 
but  arms. 

Consistently  witli  these  sentiments  therefore,  the 
questions  submitted  by  Consul  Cathcart  to  the  Con- 
sul General,  O'Brien,  and  on  which  the  opinion  of 
this  consulate  is  demanded,  have  received  the  fol- 
lowing answers. 

Q^iies.  **"  ist.  Whether  it  would  not  be  to  the  interest 
of  the  United  States  to  make  the  Bashaw  a  present, 
to  content  him  at  least  till  some  of  our  frigates  come 
into  the  Mediterranean  ?  if  in  the  affirmative,  to  what 
amount  ought  the  present  to  be  made,  that  is,  snp- 
posing  there  is  no  alternative  ?'' 

Ans.  I  should  not  have  intruded  my  counsel  in 
any  matters  relative  to  your  administration,  had  you 
not  desired  it. 

The  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  has  given  written  docu- 
ment as  evidence  of  his  entire  satisfaction  with  the 
presents  he  has  received  from  the  United  States  as 
the  condition  of  a  perpetual  peace.  Whence  then 
arise  these  claims  ?  It  is  not  sufficient  that  he  asserts 
a  right  to  be  placed  on  a  footing  with  tlie  other 
Regencies.  He  may  be  informed  that  it  is  ow  ing  to 
the  treachery  of  French  agents  that  the  latter  have 
been  so  liberally  paid.  Were  this  otherwise,  his 
claim  is  nevertheless  inadmissible,  being  barred  by 


i4fi  LIFE    OF 

his  own  voluntary  act.     A  demand,  tliereforc,  of  this 
sort  is  at  least  an  infringement  upon  the  treaty. 

But  it  is  to  be  doubted  whether  any  extension  of 
the  President's  instructions  may  be  construed  to  a 
discretion  of  giving  or  even  stipulating  additional 
presents.  It  is  a  latitude  Avhich  seems  not  to  have 
been  intended,  even  in  cases  more  pressing  than  the 
present.  It  is  a  happy  circumstance  for  us,  and 
ought  to  satisfy  the  Bashaw,  that  we  are  thus  circum- 
scribed. That  the  "  Bashaw  has  condescended  to 
heg  a  present,"  will  not  warrant  us  the  discretion  of 
giving. 

To  revert  to  your  figure  to  Captain  O'Brien,  that 
"  we  are  sentinels  of  an  advanced  jjicquet.'^  It  is 
our  duty  to  give  the  alarm  on  an  enemy's  approach  ; 
but  by  no  means  to  concede  one  inch  of  ground 
which  we  are  stationed  to  defend. 

From  these  premises  my  opinion  may  be  easily  in- 
ferred ;  that  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  must  wait  tlie 
answer  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  his 
demands.  And  my  opinion  may  be  also  as  easily 
inferred,  that  the  President  will  highly  approve  of 
your  conduct  in  the  mode  you  have  adopted  to  resist, 
or  at  least  to  delay  his  claims,  until  such  ansv/er  be 
received. 

"  2d.  Should  any  of  our  vessels  be  sent  in  here  on 
any  pretence  whatever,  and  their  cargoes  condemn- 
ed, how  would  you  advise  me  to  act  ?  After  such  a 
violation  of  our'treaty  shall  I  refuse  tlie  Corsairs  of 
Tripoli  American  passports,  or  shall  I  issue  them  as 
if  nothing  had  happened  ?-' 

Sliouldan  event  of  this  kind  happen,  which  does 
not,  from  any  thing  to  be  gathered  from  your  commu- 
nications, seem  immediately  to  menace  us,  imperious 
circumstances  must  be  yielded  to,  and  the  1)est  pro- 
visions possible,  made  for  the  crews,  until  the  result 
of  the  government  be  known  :  but,  passports,  being 
evidence  of  the  good  understanding  subsisting  be- 
tween the  Government  of  the  United  States  and  the 
Bashaw,  cannot,   in  truth  nor  propriety  be  granted 


GfcN.    EATON.  146 

^fter  that  good  understanding  shall  be  ihterrupted. 
Besides^  this  concession  would  furnish  the  enemy  a 
decoy  to  entrap  our  merchantmen,  and  even  our  ves- 
sels of  war,  at  the  same  time  that  it  would  shield  the 
corsaires  against  reprisal  from  our  ships  of  war 
which  might  be  detached  on  this  very  duty.  Pass- 
ports therefore,  cannot  be  granted  after  an  overt  in- 
fraction, in  fact,  of  the  treaty,  on  the  part  of  the  Bash- 
aw of  Tripoli  or  his  subjects. 

^^  Sd.  Do  you  imagine  that  the  Dey  of  Algiers 
would  send  four  or  five  of  his  cruisers  to  demand  any 
American  vessels  that  might  be  captured  ?  Antl  if  he 
Would,  would  it  not  coct  more  to  fee  him  than  to  con- 
tent the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  ?  I  am  of  opinion  that  if 
the  Dey  of  Algiers  would  take  the  above  step,  he 
would  succeed  ;  but  all  the  letters  in  the  world 
would  at  most  produce  only  a  civil  answer,  mixed 
with  lies  and  prevarications. 

I  do  not  know  how  these  conclusions,  in  answer 
to  Mr.  Cathcart^s  questions,  may  correspond  with 
the  feelings  and  decisions  of  government.  If  they 
betray  some  alkali^  it  is  because  the  intemperance  of 
the  climate  forces  it. 

The  plague  is  every  day  becoming  more  serious. 
Our  hope  is  in  the  approaching  heat  of  summer^ 
The  last  spring  and  present  month  of  June,  have 
been  unusually  cold  and  humid. 

!N^o  precautions  whatever  are  used  by  the  ordina- 
ry Moors  to  prevent  the  malady  communicating. 
Ask  a  Mussulman  the  cause  of  this  neglect :  "  What'^ 
says  he,  ^^  do  you  suppose  I  have  lost  confidence  in 
l>od  ?'' 

I  have  the  honor,  8(c. 
WILLIAM  EATON. 

Honorable  Secretary 
of  the  United  States, 

19 


I4<G  LIFE   OF 

To  Mr.  Smith,  Minister  at  Lisbok.^'  ■'^'^" 

Tunis,  June  27thy  1800. 
TO  meet  the  extraordinary  deniauds  of  the  Bey  of 
Tunis,  I  stated  to  government  in  terms  which  I  sup- 
posed would  attract  some  consideration,  that  a  dis- 
play of  force  would  be  the  only  effectual  argument. 
The  President  has  done  me  the  honor  of  approving 
of  my  stile  of  conduct  and  communication,  but  has 
permitted  the  Hero,  an  old  ship  of  between  five  and 
six  liundred  tons,  navigated  by  twenty  men,  (only 
Oiie  of  them  a  native  of  America,)  mounting  two  four 
pounders,  and  but  one  barrel  of  powder,  charged  with 
a  cargo  upon  which  nothing  less  depended  here  than 
our  peace^  to  leave  New  York  without  convoy  for 
Tunis.  Happily,  she  arrived  ;  and  the  desired  ef- 
fect is  secured,  at  least  until  the  residue  of  the  rega- 
lia arrive.  But  the  weak,  the  crazy  situation  of 
the  Vessel  and  equipage  tended  to  confirm  an  opinion, 
long  since  conceived,  and  never  fairly  controverted 
among  the  Tunissians,  that  the  Americans  are  a 
feeble  sect  of  Christians,  and  that  their  Independence 
was  the  gift  of  France.  Tliis  opinion  has  been  cul- 
tivated by  our  cidevant  agent,  a  base  slave  of  the 
projects  of  this  court,  and  a  remorseless  traitor  to  his 
trusts.  He  has  never  ceased  to  thwart  me  ;  tifl  at 
length  his  projects  of  injury  against  our  citizens,  and 
his  personal  insults  to  myself,  became  so  glaring  and 
insufferable,  that,  finding  myself  without  support,  at 
Once  to  convince  Tunis  and  its  slaves  that  Ameri- 
cans are  not  entirely  devoid  of  resentment,  nor  oblig- 
ed to  Frenchmen  for  independence,  I  gave  him,  (tell 
it  not  in  Gath)  at  the  marine  gate,  among  an  hundred 
people,  the  discipline  of  my  horsewhip.  This  kin- 
dled the  flame  I  intended  it  should.  He  summoned 
me  to  the  tribunal  of  a  pirate.  I  met  him  there  : 
joined  issue  and  proceeded  to  argument.  The  court, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  was  manifestly 
prepossessed  in  favor  of  the  much  injured  Fdmin, 
My   reasons  to  tlic  Bey  were  laconically  these.     I 


GEX.    EATON.  147 

iiave  found  the  man  at  all  points  a  traitor  and  a  vil- 
lain ;  not  less  so  in  bis  personal  treatment  towards 
the  representative  the  President  of  the  United 
States  had  placed  near  him,  the  Bey,  than  in  the  ex- 
ecution of  the  public  trusts  himself  had  once  tlie  hon- 
or to  hold  under  the  same  authority.  That  I  did  not 
present  myself  there  to  answer  to  the  allegations  of 
the  traitor,  as  I  held  myself  in  no  respect  responsi- 
ble to  the  government  of  Tunis,  but  to  denounce  the 
man  as  such,  and  to  withdraw  from  him  that  protec- 
tion which  he  had  never  merited,  but  had  shamefully 
dishonored. 

"  I  Avill  send  you  oct  of  the  country  !''  said  the 
Bey — You  will  do  me  an  honor  which  I  will  take 
care  to  appreciate. 

"  How  dare  you  lift  your  hand  against  a  subject 
of  mine  in  my  Icingdom  .^" 

If  your  renegade  had  been  in  the"  Icingdom  of  heav- 
en, and  had  given  me  the  same  provocation,  I  would 
have  given  him  the  same  discipline.     But  the  Bey  of 
Tunis  has  too  much  penetration  to  believe  that  abject 
yvretcli  faithful,  even  to  his  patron.     If  he  were  such ; 
if  he  were  a  true  Frenchman^  I  would  respect  him  ag 
such  ;  if  an  American,  I  would  protect  liim  as  such ; 
if  a  good  Mussulman,  I  would  honor  him  as   such  ; 
or,  if  a  Christian,  he  should  be  duly  respected.     He 
is   neither  one  nor  the   other.     I  have  document  to 
convince  you  that  he  would  sell  your  head  for  carou- 
bes,  and  barter  away  the  reputation  of  your  court  for 
piasters.     See  here  his  statement  to  an   American. 
who   by    this    means   lias    been  entrapped  into   his 
hands.     Hear  uim  call  your  prime  minister  and  his 
mercantile    agents    f,   set    of   thieves   and   robbers. 
''  How  !"  Yes,  tliif  jes  and  robbers.     ^^  Mercy — for- 
Ijearance  I**'  •cried   Famin.     Yes,   thieves  and  rob- 
bers !  !  This  is  the  man  of  your   confidence  !  This 
is  the  man  of  mediation  between   your  Excellency 
and  my  master  the  President,  (adopting  my  language 
to  the  occasion,)  and  tliese   are  the  measures  lie  uses 
i.Q  maintain  the  good   understanding  subsisting  be^ 


148  LIFE   OF 

tween  us.  Had  lie  been  faithful,  either  in  his  repre- 
sentations  of  your  Excellency's  character  to  the 
President,  or  in  that  of  my  nation  to  you,  you  would 
long  since  have  received,  whatever  it  might  have 
been,  the  regalia  stipulated  as  the  tokens  of  friend- 
ship. It  is  his  treachery,  his  falsehood,  his  sleek 
and  plausible  misrepresentations,  which  has  generat- 
ed  the  misintelligence  between  us.  Do  not  suppose 
I  am  ignorant  of  his  intrigues.  Full  well  I  know  he 
labored  three  days,  incessantly,  after  my  arrival  at 
Biserte,  to  prevail  on  your  Excellency  to  refuse  me 
an  audience.  Full  well  I  know,  that,  during  our  ne- 
gociation,  he  was  playing  a  double  game  with  us. 
And  full  well  I  know  that  he  has  uniformly  insinu- 
ated that  my  government  were  flattering  you  with  de- 
lusive expectations  and  insincere  promises,  and  that 
I,  myself,  am  s^t  here  to  be  the  instrument  of  this 
liypocricy. 

''  But,  how  do  you  know  these  things  ?  Whatever 
passed  between  him  and  me  on  these  subjects  was 
testa  a  testa,  insieme* !'' 

Yes,  but  the  fellow  had  not  prudence  enough  to 
keep  your  confidence.  Elated  with  the  prospect  of 
success,  he  blabbed  every  thing  to  the  woman  he 
keeps  :  she  to  her  neighbors  :  so  that  it  has  been 
the  topic  of  conversation  in  half  the  Christian  taverns 
in  Tunis,  ^*  that  his  Excellency  the  Bey  was  going 
to  send  away  the  American  Consul,"  to  accommo- 
date an  apostate  Frenchman  !  as  if  the  Bey  of  Tunis 
had  not  independence  of  mind  nor  discernment  to 
discriminate  between  the  event  of  insulting  a  nation 
and  disobliging  a  slave.  Permit  me  to  suggest  to 
your  Excellency,  your  reputation  has  been  brought 
into  disrespect  in  the  event. 

The  Bey  listened  to  me.  Famin  trembled  as  if 
in  a  paralytic  lit,  and  began  an  address  in  Arabic. 

''  Speak  French,'^  said  the  Bey,  looking  him 
frowuingly  in  the  face.  He  denied  my  charges.  I 
adduced  facts  in  evidence. 


GEN.    EATON.  149 

The  Bey  was  convinced.  Famin  stood  convicted. 
On  leaving  the  palace  I  told  the  Bey,  tomorrow  I 
would  announce  to  the  world  what  I  had  on  that 
ground.  Parting,  he  gave  my  hand  a  cordial 
squeeze  '.  and,  when  I  was  out,  turning  to  his  court, 
said,  "  the  American  Consul  has  been  heated  :  but 
truly  he  has  had  reason.  I  have  always  found  him 
a  very  plain  candid  man  ;  and  his  concern  for  his 
fellow  citizens  is  not  a  crime." 

Since  this  event,  which  happened  about  four 
weeks  ago,  more  hats  have  been  off  than  had  been 
observed  for  fourteen  months  before.  1  detail  this 
adventure,  (which  I  am  sensible  will  not  show  much 
to  my  advantage  in  the  civilized  world,)  to  demon- 
strate, what  has  before  been  asserted,  that  the  best 
way  to  treat  these  savages  is  to  meet  them  on  their 
own  ground.  They  began  by  biiUying;  I  have 
paid  them  off  in  kind. 

To  the  Secretary  of  State. 

Tnnis  June  %Sth,  1800. 
This  morning  the  Danish  flagstaff  was  cut  down, 
and  WAr  declared  by  the  Bey  of  Tunis  against  the 
king  of  Denmark.  Upv/ards  of  seventy  people,  the 
equipage  of  seven  vessels,  condemned  to"  slaverVy 
and  the  Consul  confined  to  his  house. 

Tiinisy  July  ^tli,  1800. 
Sir, 

THE  Danish  Consul  and  familv  have  been  order 
ed  to  quit  the  kingdom  of  Tunis  :  he  departs   tomor 
row,  and,  as  I  have  before  had  the  honor  to  intimate 
to  the  department  of  state,  has  desired  me  to  be  the 
medium   between  the  king  of  Denmark  and  Bey  of 
Tunis,  during  the  war. 

Yesterday  I  had  an   iuterview  with  the  Bey  and 
his  confidential  minister.     The  latter  went  into  a  de 
tail  of  the  causes  of  the  war,  wherein  he  clearly  dem- 
onstrated that  the  Danes  were  the  aggressors.     This 


150  LIFE    OF 

inferrence  he  drew  from  tlie  taken  for  granted  prem- 
ises "  that  the  Bey  had  a  right  to  demand  regalia, 
and  that  the  king  of  Denmark  had  violated  his  good 
faith  by  treating  that  demand  contemptuously  ! 

During  the  conversation  he  said,  "  To  speak  tru- 
ly and  candidly,  the  war  was  intended  against  the 
Americans  :  but  the  letter  from  your  Prince  resolved 
the  Bey  to  suspend  the  operation  a  reasonable  time 
for  the  arrival  of  the  ship.  It  did  arrive,  as  you 
told  us  it  would  ;  and,  to  deal  ingenuously,  we  must 
acknowledge  to  you  that  we  have  never  received  ar- 
ticles of  the  kind  of  so  excellent  a  quality  from  any 
Christian  nation.  Had  those  sent  by  the  king  of 
Denmark  (iti  1798)  been  /^a//as  good,  we  should  now 
be  at  peace  with  him." 

1  remarked  to  him,  tJiat  if  he  had  given  me  the 
credit  which  he  was  now  convinced  he  ought,  he 
might  have  saved  himself  and  the  Bey  much  impa- 
tience and  the  entire  trouUle  of  arming  his  navy  a- 
gainst  us  :  but  I  had  observed  with  some  concern, 
that  he  chose  rather  to  hear  meddling  fellows,  who 
would  as  deliberately  betray  him  as  me,  if  the  occa- 
sion suited. 

"  That  is  past,"  said  he,  "  and  you  have  had  your 
own  way  of  revenge.  We  are  convinced  you  have 
dealt  candidly  with  us,  though  we  sometimes  thought 
you  a  little  hard  bitted  :  but  you  are  a  sort  of  Eng- 
lishmen, you  Americans,  are  you  not  ?"  We  are 
not  Italians.  ^' Have  you  no  Pops  in  America?" 
Yes  :  once  a  year  our  boys  and  girls  of  the  streets,  ac- 
companied by  our  sailors  and  fiddlers,  make  a  Pope 
and  a  Devil  of  old  cast  clothes  ;  mount  tliem  both 
on  a  Borreco,  (Jack-ass,)  and  after  driving  them  a- 
l)out  till  they  are  wearied,  tar  and  feather  and  burn 
them  togetlier  by  way  of  amusement.  He  laughed 
heartily,  and  said  :  "  I  believe  you  arc  just  such  an- 
other hard  headed  race  as  the  English  :  but,  thank 
God,  we  are  friends.  The  Bey  exhibited  marks  of 
perfect  satisfaction  with  us,  and,  to  demonstrate  his 
sincerity,  gave  me  a  house  in  Biserte,  eight   ho«r.s 


GEN.    EATON.  151 

ride  from  this,  by  the  sea  side,  where  I  am  to  spend 
the  summer.         *****        *       * 

The  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  has  in  a  very  gracious 
and  polite  maimer  demanded  of  the  President  addi- 
tional evidence  of  his  friendship  ;  something  else  than 
^'flattering  words  and  delusive  promises. ^^  Hope 
the  President  will  accommodate  him.  Mr.  Cath- 
cai-t  is  of  opinion  that  a  present  should  be  given  to 
content  his  Excellency  a  year  or  so.  1  have  had  but 
one  opinion  on  the  subject  of  regalia,  since  I  have 
seen  the  contemptible  navy  and  military  of  the  regen- 
cies. If  the  demand  of  Tripoli  be  aeceeded  to,  un- 
doubtedly it  will  furnish  pretext  for  similar  demands 
from  the  other  Regencies.  ''  You  give  Tripoli  ex- 
traordinary presents  not  stipulated  by  treaty.  Are 
we  less  your  friends  than  Tripoli  ?  If  not  it  will  re- 
quire other  evidence  than  flattering  words  and  delu- 
sive promises.'^  Where  will  these  humiliations  end  ? 
The  time  must  come,  when  by  solid  argument  we 
must  convince  our  friends  here  of  our  warm  attach- 
ment. Why  not  show  Tripoli  a  sample  of  it  ?  I 
should  fear  that  my  reiterated,  perhaps  too  familiar, 
observations  would  excite  apprehensions  that  my  a- 
gency  here  might  tend  to  embroil  our  affairs,  if  facts 
did  not  establish  the  contrary. 

I  have  the  honor,  8(c. 
WILLIAM  EATON. 

Honorable  Secretary 
of  the  United  States, 


15^  LIFE   OF 


Having  brought  the  more  important  official  corves- 
pondence  and  transactions  to  this  date,  it  will  per- 
haps be  now  proper  to  revert  to  some  o/Eaton^b 
familiar  letters  and  private  affairs. 


To  Mrs.  Eaton. 

Tunis,  April  Qih,  1799- 
SINCE  I  arrived  in  this  city,  which  was 
on  the  14th  ultimo,  I  have  been  constantly  employ- 
ed in  negoeiatiug  alterations  in  the  treaty  between 
the  United  States  and  the  Bey  and  Divan  of  this  Re- 
gency. I  have  therefore  had  but  little  opportunity  to 
acquaint  myself  with  any  thing  whicli  can  aftbrd 
you  entertainment  or  instruction.  On  landing  at  the 
marine,  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  front  gate  of 
the  city,  the  flags  were  hoisted  on  all  the  European 
consular  houses,  and  on  arriving  to  the  American 
house,  the  consuls  of  the  different  nations  welcomed 
me  to  the  place.  The  day  following  was  assigned 
for  an  introduction  to  the  king.  I  sat  off  at  ten  in 
the  morning,  in  a  carriage  drawn  by  two  mules,  at- 
tended by  a  Turk,  two  Moors  and  an  interpreter. 
The  palace  is  four  miles  from  the  city.  At  this  I  ar- 
rived about  eleven  ;  and,  after  waiting  a  while  in  the 
area  of  the  court,  was  admitted  to  the  apartment  of 
the  Bey.  He  was  seated  with  his  legs  under  him 
like  a  taylor^  on  a  sopha  covered  with  a  velvet  cano- 
py richly  embroidered  with  gold,  with  a  turban  a- 
bout  Ids  head,  and  a  very  rich  kind  of  surplice  &om- 
ing  loosely  about  his  shoulders.  After  having  pass 
ed  the  formality  of  introduction,  a  seat  was  present- 
ed on  his  right  hand,  his  principal  Minister  and 
Secretary  of  State  sitting  on  a  carpet  on  his  left.  In 
a   few  mfnntes   three  Christian   slaves  entered  the 


GEN.    EATON.  153 

chamber,  one  of  them  with  a  salver  of  coffee,  in 
beautiful  china  cups  set  in  gold,  richly  ornament- 
ed with  diamonds  ;  another  held  over  his  shoul- 
der a  napkin ;  and  the  third  brought  a  kind  of 
embroidered  canopy,  which  he  spread  in  the 
Bev's  lap.  Collee  being  served,  we  entered  into 
a  discourse  upon  the  voyage  ;  and  this  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  subject  of  our  negociation.  This 
formality  and  business  continued  fifteen  days,  when 
at  length,  by  the  agency  of  bribes  and  presents 
to  a  considerable  amount,  the  object  of  the  negocia- 
tion was  obtained,  and  I  took  half  a  day's  leisure  to 
ride  into  the  country.  I  found  the  king  a  man  of 
shrewdness,  understanding  and  great  ingenuity. 
His  terms,  in  consideration  of  his  accession  to  the 
terms  we  proposed,  were  enormous  ;  and  we  are  not 
yet  perfectly  on  good  terms  respecting  them.  I  have 
uniformly  resisted  them  ;  and  the  last  time  I  was  at 
the  palace,  he  threatened  us  witli  war  in  case  I  did 
not  come  to  an  unequivocal  agreement  to  his  terms. 
I  told  him  we  w^ere  not  at  this  period  to  be  alarmed 
by  menaces  ;  we  were  prepared  for  war  ;  and  if  he 
chose  to  commence  it  on  so  trifling  an  occasion,  he 
might  have  cause  to  regret  his  temerity.  He  left  me 
witliout  ceremony,  saying,  if  I  would  not  accede  to  his 
demand  I  might  pull  down  the  American  flag j  em- 
bark in  the  brig  and  go  home.  If  I  do  not  find  some 
means  to  soften  liis  temper  or  moderate  his  demand, 
I  may  possibly  hand  you  this  letter  myself. 

This  country  is  indeed  beautiful  ;  but  the  people 
are  superlatively  wretched.  They  are  humbled  by 
tlie  double  oppression  of  civil  and  religious  tyranny  ; 
seem  to  have  but  little  enterprise,  and  are  grossly  ig- 
norant. The  houses  of  the  city  are  built  of  stone, 
cemented  wUh  lime,  one  story  high,  without  chim- 
neys,  the  roofs  flat,  and  so  closely  joined  together 
that  the  whole  light  is  admitted  through  an  aperture 
in  the  top  of  the  liouse.  They  sit  always  on  the 
floor,  which  is  generally  the  earth  covered  with  tiles^ 
or  with  mats  made  of  reeds  ;  feed  principally  on  teg- 

20 


idh  ,  LIFE    OF 

fttable  diet  made  of  grain,  olives  and  fruit  ;  and 
drink  nothing  but  water.  The  women  are  never  seen 
abroad,  except  the  poorer  classes,  and  these  not  with- 
out being  wrapped  about  in  blankets  and  handker- 
chiefs from  the  crown  of  the  head  to  the  ancles  :  they 
are  always  barefoot,  or  in  slippers  only.  The  in- 
habitants have  exactly  the  complexion  of  the  Ameri- 
can Indians  ;  excepting  those  of  foreign  countries 
who  have  become  naturalized.  The  city  contains 
about  three  hundred  thousand  souls  ;  ten  thousand  of 
them  JeAvs,  two  thousand  Christians,  six  or  seven 
hundred  renegades,  beside  three  thousand  Christian 
slaves.  These  are  parcelled  out  at  different  public 
employments,  and  in  private  service  of  their  masters. 
[The  situation  of  the  9^0  Sardinian  slaves  is  here 
described.] 

Many  of  them  have  died  of  grief,  and  the  others 
linger  out  a  life  less  tolerabl-e  than  death.     Alas,  re- 
morse  seizes  my  whole  soul  when  I  reflect  that  this 
is  indeed  but  a  copy  of  the  very  barbarity  which  my 
eyes  have  seen  in  my  own  native  country.     And  yet 
we  boast  of  liberty  and  national  justice.     How  fre- 
quently, in  the  soutliern  states  of  my  own  country, 
have  I  seen  weeping  mothers  leading  the  guiltless 
infant  to  the  sales,   with  as  deep   anguish  as  if  tliey 
led  them  to  tlis  slaughter  ;  and  yet  felt  my  bosom 
tranquil   in  the  view   of  these  aggressions  upon  de- 
fenceless humanity.     But  when  I  see  the  same  enor- 
mities practiced  upon  beings  whose  complexion  and 
blood  claim  kindred  with  my  own,  I  curse  the  perpe- 
trators and  weep  over  the  wretched  victims  of  their 
rapacity.     Indeed  truth  and  justice  demand  from  me 
the   confession  tiiat  the  cliristian  slaves  among  the 
barbarians  of  Africa  are  treated  with  more  humanity 
than  the  African  slaves  among  the  professing  Chris- 
tians of  civilized  America  ;  and  yet  here   sensibility 
bleeds  at  every  pore  for  tlie  wretches  vt'Iiom  fate  has 
doomed  to  slavery, 

I  have  once  passed  over  the  ruins  of  Carthage  and' 
tJtica,  but  tiiis  moment  is  too  contracted  to  afford  me 


GEN.    EATOX.  155 

leisure  to  describe  to  you  my  discoveries  or  feelings 
on  that  occasion.  Another  time  shall  be  devoted  to 
this  subject ;  the  present  is  consumed  in  preparing 
necessary  dispatches  to  our  government,  and  in  writ- 
ing letters  of  business. 

Tunis  at  present,  offers  no  advantage  from  com- 
merce.    The  Barbary  States  are  involved  in  tlie  war 
with  the  French  Republic.     This  excludes  all  inter- 
course with  the  States  of  Italy,  the  coasts  of  France 
and  Spain,  and  indeed  with  almost  all  the  ports   of 
her  usual  commerce.     I  cannot,  therefore,  promise 
myself  many  commercial  advantages  from  my  pres- 
ent situation.     I  hope  however,  by  dint  of  economy, 
to  be  able  to  save  half  the  amount  of  my  salary.     In 
less  than  two  years  from  this  moment,  by  the  leave 
of  Heaven,  I  will  again  embrace  my  friends  in  Brim- 
field  and  ether  parts  of  America.     My  arrangements 
are  already  made  for  this  purpose  ;  and  I  look  for- 
ward with  an  anxiety,  which  indeed  does  not  become 
my  years,  for  tlie  moment  wliich  shall  again  restore 
to  me  the  homely  felicity  of  my  native  country.     But 
before  this  period   elapses  I  am  resolved  to   visit 
Rome,  and  if  possible  the  Holy  Land  ;  but  must  a- 
bandon  the  idea   of  visiting  Fgypt   so  long  as  the 
French  hold  possession  of  it.     The  plague  rages   at 
this  moment  in  that  devoted  couniry  :  but,  thank  di- 
vine goodness,  no  symptom  of  it  has  yet  shewn  itself 
in  this  city  the  present  season. 

I  was  never  before  so  thoroughly  convinced  that 
infinite  wisdom  never  hit  on  a  more  rational  discov- 
ery than  when  he  "  saw  it  ivus  not  ^jodfor  man  to  he 
aloneP  Do  not  suppose  I  would  be  willing  to  lose 
a  rib  for  the  manufacture  of  an  help  meet  for  me  here. 
No  such  thing  I  assure  you  :  but  I  should  feel  not 
the  least  objection  to  undergo  the  experiment  of  hav- 
ing the  one  already  lost  restored  to  its  place  again. 
Goodnight  :  it  is  twelve  o'clock,  and  nothing  but 
solitude  and  dulness  to  solace  the  bosom  of 

Yours,  ^c. 
•N.  B.  Take  care,  Eliza,  not  to  let  our  good  old 
parents  die  till  I  return. 


156  LIFE   OF 

To  Stephen  Pynchon,  Esq.  Brimfield. 

Tunis,  ,ipinl  8th,  179y. 

"  Give  me  whatever's  pretty,  nice  and  new  ; 
«  All  ugly,  odd,  old  things  I  leave  to  you." 

ON  the  fourth  of  January  of  the  pres- 
ent year  we  put  to  sea  from  the  capes  of  the  Dela- 
ware :  and  by  the  bluster  of  winter  were  hurried 
through  the  Atlantic  over  head  and  ears  in  brine  and 
suds,  without  a  dry  thread  about  us  :  and  in  thirty 
six  days  arrived  at  Algiers.  One  of  our  vessels,  a 
ship  of  between  two  and  three  hundred  tons  and 
thirty  people,  broached  to  in  a  storm,  and  went 
down,  poor  fellows,  in  a  moment.  This  happened 
on  the  American  coast.  Another  of  our  company 
fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  gun  boats  at  the  mouth  of  the 
streights,  and  fought  her  passage.  This  was  a 
schooner  commanded  by  Captain  Maley,  who  told 
me  he  expended  four  hundred  balls  on  the  occasion, 
and  received  as  many :  but  this  must  have  been  at  a 
very  respectful  distance^  for  no  blood  was  lost  on 
our  side  !  That  they  had  skirmishing  is  true. 

Algiers  is  an  immense  pile  of  brick  and  lime,  ce- 
mented in  a  mass,  on  the  declivity  of  a  hill,  resemb- 
ling a  marble  quarry  with  excavated  cells.  This 
figure  you  will  more  easily  understand,  when  I  tell 
you  that  the  roofs,  or  rather  tops  of  tlie  houses,  are 
Hat,  and  connected  with  eacli  other  in  such  a  manner 
that  a  man  might  walk  from  wall  to  wall  without 
couching  feet  to  the  ground  in  almost  any  direction 
in  the  city.  The  streets,  or  rather  covert  ways,  are, 
in  general,  not  more  than  six  feet  broad  :  tlie  broad- 
est will  admit,  v/ith  mucli  difficulty,  a  loaded  camel 
in  the  centre,  and  a  footman  on  each  side.  They 
arc  almost  uniformly  covered  with  projected  stories 
of  the  houses,  forming  in  some  places  arches  and  in 
others  planes,  and  hiding  the  sun  at  mid-day. 
There  is  not  a  yard  in  the  whole  city  :  every  conve- 


GEN.    EATON.  157 

nience  is  placed  within  the  walls  of  the  houses,  even 
the  common  vaults  and  reservoirs  of  water ;  and 
they  have  no  light  but  what  is  received  at  an  aper- 
ture in  the  centre  of  the  house  ;  generally  a  square, 
extending  from  the  top  to  the  ground  in  every  house, 
from  thirty  to  eight  or  ten  feet  in  pi'oportion  to  the 
dimensions  of  the  house,  forming  at  once  the  court 
and  galleries.  On  each  side  of  this  area  from  two 
to  four  stories  are  rooms  for  every  purpose. 

Tiie  city  is  crouded  with  imperious  Turks,  beg- 
garly Moors,  and  savage  Arabs,  distinguised  from 
each  other  by  their  dress,  or  rather  undress.  The 
Turks  in  short  jackets,  something  like  those  of  our 
seamen,  without  sleeves,  embroidered  with  spangles 
of  gold,  wrought  in  a  variety  of  figures  on  the  edges 
and  sides  :  a  species  of  open  trousers  of  different 
cloths,  fine  linen  or  muslin,  descending  to  tlie  calf 
and  tied  around  each  leg  :  a  sash  of  a  red  or  varie- 
gated silk  interwoven  with  gold  tinsel  wound  around 
the  small  of  the  body,  in  which  are  worn  a  sword 
and  brace  of  long  pistols  :  square  toed  shoes,  naked 
legs  ;  head  shaved  and  bound  about  with  a  turban, 
half  a  dozen  yards  of  white  muslin  coiled  about  a 
small  red  cap,  which  just  appears  at  top  :  the  beard 
suspended  upon  the  breast.  The  Moorish  dress  dif- 
fers from  this  only  in  quality,  except  that  these  wear 
no  arms,  the  Turks  only  forming  the  military  of  the 
country.  The  Avabs  in  every  respect  resemble  the 
savages  of  America,  except  that  they  are  less  enter- 
prizing,  and  have  nothing  of  that  wild  magnanimity 
which  invigorates  the   free  born  sons  of  our   forests. 

The  ladies  of  Barbary  seen  in  the  streets,  look 
like  walking  ghosts  swaddled  in  rags.  These  wear 
square  toed  shoes,  generally  without  quarters  or  very 
low  ones.  Above  these,  half  way  up  the  leg  they 
are  uncovered ;  then  commence  writhes  of  muslin  like 
sailors'  trousers,  loosely  twisted  about  each  leg,  tied 
at  the  bottom,  and  in  this  kind  of  coil  ascending  a- 
bout  two  spans  from  the  first  joint  above  the  ancle, 
and  forming  a  junction  ;  now  becoming  an  immeBso 


158  LIFE    OF 

bag,  it  ascends  in  irregular  plaits  till  it  gatliers  round 
the  waist  and  divides  the  upper  from  the  nether  re- 
gions of  the  body.  Over  this,  suspended  like  cur- 
tains from  the  head  to  the  ground,  roll  huge  dirty 
folds  of  tlanuel  or  muslin  blankets.  Around  the 
mouth,  chin  and  forehead,  are  handkerchiefs,  close- 
ly swathed,  hiding  the  whole  face  except  a  necessa- 
ry aperture  for  the  admission  of  light.  Thus  rig- 
ged, nothing  can  be  seen  of  them  abroad  but  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye. 

]S  ot  so  the  daughters  of  Abraham.  Their  bare, 
broad,  brown  faces,  form  a  contrast  to  the  Turkish 
women  as  much  on  the  other  extreme.  They  ap- 
pear dirty  as  brutes  and  as  brazen  as  impudence. 
Common  fame  slanders  them  as  accessible.  It  may 
be  so  ;  but  of  this  I  shall  never  have  other  demonstra- 
tion than  the  scandal  of  common  fame :  for,  beside  the 
prohibition  imposed  on  my — curiosity  by  a  Union^' 
magistrate,  I  have  a  moral  disgust  to  every  thing  of 
this  kind  which  is  dirty.  All  the  ladies  I  have  seen, 
if  their  beauties  were  consolidated,  would  not  create 
sensibility  enough  in  my  heart  to  produce  a  ballad 
from  my  brain,  even  if  I  possessed  the  skill  and  feel- 
ings of  the  royal  grandson  of  Jesse.  The  description 
of  Algcrine  habits  may,  with  very  little  exception,  ap- 
ply to  Tunis.  It  is  an  abominable  falshood  recorded 
by  geographers,  that  the  women  of  Tunis  are  hand- 
some. Those  I  have  seen  in  the  streets,  and  more 
exposed  from  the  tops  of  their  houses,  are  ill  shaped, 
short  and  dirty.  They  are  all  brown.  I  can  say 
little  of  their  manners  and  customs  :  cannot  howev- 
er but  take  notice  of  one  very  remarkable  custom, 
which  I  consider  a  very  laudable  one ;  this  is  a  habit 
the  widows  have  of  repairing  at  least  once  a  week  to, 
and  weeping  over,  the  graves  of  their — husbands,  e- 
ven  after  they  have  been  a  month  dead  !  ! 

Of  the   strength,    commerce,   manufactures    and 
general  manners  of  these  Regencies,  it  is  hoped  a  fu- 

*  A  pun  :  he  having  been  married  in  Union^  (Ct.) 


GEN.    EATON.  159 

ture  opportunity  will  afford  some  entertainment  and 
information.  I  will  now  only  remark,  (for  this  is 
something  remarJcable,)  that  there  ai*e  no  laivyers  in 
the  country  :  but  it  is  cursedly  infested  with  priests, 
tipropos  :  this  brings  me  to  3  general  religious 
subject.  I  once  formed  a  resolution  to  dispute  with 
no  man  on  religious  subjects.  The  resolution  was 
well  formed  ;  and  I  have  reason  to  regret  having 
ever  in  any  instance  departed  from  it.  I  here  re- 
new it.  Religion  is  a  necessary  guide  to  human  ac- 
tions, an  anchor  of  hope,  a  dernier  resort  from  the 
evils  of  this  illusive  life  ;  and  both  humanity  and 
good  manners  forbid  an  attempt  to  deprive  a  bewil- 
dered mortal  of  a  sanctuary  so  hospitable,  let  vision 
shape  it  in  what  manner  it  will. 

There  are  perhaps  but  few  among  the  vast  mass 
of  men,  who  are  void  of  religious  jjriyicipleSy  who 
have  philosophy  or  resolution  to  resist  the  tempta- 
tions which  the  sensations  of  every  day  convey  to 
the  mind  :  hence  most  men,  who  have  not  a  sacred 
regard  for  religion  of  some  kind,  are  dissolute  in  their 
manners  ;  and  those,  who  effect  to  despise  it,  are  a- 
bandoned  to  every  vice  which  sense  invites  and 
which  darkness  can  hide  from  the  penetration  of  jus- 
tice. 

I  was  once  a  Christian,  and  believed  in  miracles  : 
became  a  deist  from  the  absurditv  introduced  to  that 
system  by  the  hypoericy,  bigotiy  and  ignorance  of 
priestcraft  :  am  now  again  a  Christian,  from  a  con- 
viction of  the  simplicity  and  excellence  of  its  morali- 
ty, its  manly  independence,  and  its  immortal  hope. 
I  have  also  political  reasons.  In  a  country  where 
Christianity  is  the  prevailing  religion,  every  honest 
patriot  should  be  a  Christian,  to  prevent  that  mischief 
which  hypocrites  and  knaves,  both  political  and  di- 
vine, are  capable  of  committing  under  the  garb  of 
Christianity. 

The  common  mass  of  mankind  are  alwavs  more 
or  less  influenced  by  that  hlind  faith  which  they  are 
willing  to  pass  for  religion,  and  which,  perhaps,  they 


460  LIFE  or 

believe  so,  fovj^norance  \ms  less^hypocr icy  ihnji  wis- 
dgjn  :  and  to  whatever  form  of  faith  their  zeal  or  cap- 
rice may  induce  them  to  incline,  they  pay  homage  to 
it  in  their  superiors. 

An  additional  argument  is,  that  every  good  man 
and  lover  of  his  country,  owes  it  as  a  duty  to  his 
country,  to  conform  to  its  religion  in  so  great  a 
measure  as  not  to  lose  his  influence,  even  if  he  sacri- 
fice to  ignorance  :  because  the  balance  of  influence 
should  always  be  held  by  honest  men,  and  this  tends 
to  secure  it. 

If  a  designing  hypocrite  finds  a  necessity  of  blast- 
ing the  influence  of  an  honest  man,  of  wliose  integri- 
ty he  is  afraid,  he  can  no  way  do  it  more  effectually 
than  by  denouncing  him  an  infidel. 

It  seems  to  be  a  principle  attached  to  the  coward- 
ice of  guilt  and  eiTor  of  ignorance,  to  approach  its 
judge  through  an  intermediate  being.  AH  experi- 
ence demonstrates  this  fact  :  and  all  ages  of  men 
have  differed  on  this  principle  only,  in  the  being  they 
have  chosen  for  the  mediator.  Some  have  fixed  on 
an  ox  and  some  a  corpse  ;  some  have  considered  the 
sun  and  stars  the  representative  of  God,  and  some 
the  whirlwind  and  the  storm.  But  whatever  it  be,  if 
there  be  nothing  of  political  fraud  nor  corruption  in 
its  constitution,  it  should  so  far  have  the  countenance 
of  good  men  as  to  secure  to  society  the  benefit  of 
their  influence  :  Jind  I  believe  God  will  forgive  the 
idolatry  for  kum.anitffs  sake. 

Christianity  is  undoubtedly  the  most  pure  and 
simple  of  any  created  religion,  which  has  hitherto 
been  introduced  by  man.  I  say  created,  because 
truth,  and  of  course  true  religion,  must  ha>  e  been 
more  ancient  than  the  existence  of  God  :  must  have 
governed  him  in  creation,  and  not  have  been  created 
by  him  :  Or  they  are  more  properly  unique, 

I  find  no  potitical  reason  m  this  country  for  be- 
coming a  Mussulman  :  but  I  will  be  a  Christian  if 
ever  I  return  to  my  dear,  native  wilds. 


GEN.    EATON.  l61 

You  will  object  to  my  system  because  it  counte- 
uances  hypocricy — Granted  :  but  is  it  not  a  refined 
hypocricy  which  shall  control  hypocricy  of  the 
grosser  sort,  to  subserve  mankind  ? 

I  have  spun  this  subject  far  beyond  my  intentions 
and  the  bounds  of  modesty  ;  but  I  hope  you  will  be- 
lieve I  am  not  aiming  at  preceptorial  consequence  :  I 
am  submitting  my  indigested  thoughts  for  your  crit- 
icism, correction.-  or  sympathy. 

1  have  said  in  my  letter  to  Mrs.  Eaton,  which 
accompanies  this,  that  the  houses  of  Tunis  are  low. 
The  consular  houses  are  exceptions.  These  are 
from  three  to  four  stories,  large  and  well  built. 
The  American  house  is  the  largest  in  the  city  and  by 
far  the  handsomest.  It  is  four  stories  from  the  mag- 
azine ;  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  by  fifty  ;  built 
of  stone  and  lime,  and  well  finished,  upon  the  Euro- 
pean construction  :  but  it  has  no  chimney  nor  fire 
place,  except  in  the  kitchen.  It  has  one  and  twenty 
rooms  and  closets  on  the  floor  of  the  second  stoi-j , 
eight  of  them  large,  the  others  convenient  and  neces- 
sary. My  family  consists  of  a  young  gentleman 
from  Baltimore,  a  physician  and  a  philosopher,  who 
has  agreed  to  tarry  with  me  two  years  ;  an  interpret- 
er and  three  servants. 

Silence  and  solitude  reign  among  us.  From 
morning  till  midnight  here  is  nothing  to  interrupt 
study  and  rational  contemplation,  for  we  have  not  a 
woman  in  the  house. 

It  is  but  a  few  days  since  I  got  through  with  the 
business  of  my  negociation  with  the  Bey  and  Divan  : 
in  a  f€w  days  more  shall  close  my  dispatches.  Af- 
ter which  I  promise  myself  much  satisfaction  in 
ranging  among  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  cities  in  this 
vicinitv. 

William  eaton 


^i 


463  Life  of 


Extracts,  to  O'Brien. 

July  20th,  1799. 

THE  Bey's  Physician  dined  with  me  to  day,  and' 
confidentially  told  me  that  the  Regency  had  it  in 
contemplation  to  declare  war  against  Spain ;  and 
only  waited  the  return  of  two  merchant  vessels, 
whieli  had  gone  thither.  Speed  to  the  measure  !  It 
will  give  us  relief.  Pity  it  is,  that  the  Italians  were 
not  included  in  the  personae  iramatis.  Mussulmen, 
catholics,  assassins,  thieves,  beggars,  pimps.  In 
Heaven's  name,  let  them  devour  each  other.  The 
world  is  afflicted  with  their  abominations.  I  wish  I 
could  thunder  with  a  voice  like  Jove  :  I  would  pro- 
ject electric  bolts,  omnipotent  among  them,  thicker 
than  the  stars  of  heaA  en  ;  more  irregular  than  the 
dreams  of  guilt ;  pointed  with  blue  wrath,  terrible  as 
hell  ;  and,  in  one  permiscuous  labyrinth  of  conta- 
geous  vengeance,  iogulf  them  :  and  would  then  peo- 
ple the  coast  of  the  Mediterranean  with  a  new  race 
of  men,  upon  a  construction  of  my  own,  who  should 
never  suffer  lust,  nor  avarice,  nor  the  cholic. 

I  am  sorry  that  the  request  of  the  "  female  Bo- 
cris"*  is  inadmissible,  being  much  disposed  to  serve 
them.  But,  I  have  already  employed  a  "  hack  san- 
saF'  from  among  the  disjiersed,  who  serves  me  as  a- 
drogoman,  broker,  footpage,  groom,  scullian,  bottle- 
washer,  aid  du  corps  and  physician  :  who  was  born 
in  Gribralter,  is  free  of  London,  a  convict  from  Ire- 
land, a  burgomaster  of  Holland  :  was  circumcised  in 
Bal'bary  ;  Avas  a  spy  for  the  Devil  among  the  Apos- 
tles at  the  feast  of  Penticost,  and  has  the  gift  of 
tongues  :  has  travelled  in  all  Europe,  and  will  un- 
doubtedly be  hung  in  America,  for  I  intend  to  take 
him  tliere.  He  is  the  most  useful  scoundrel  in  the 
world.     He  interprets,  trades,  runs,  holds  a  horse, 

*  Two  ladies  in  Algiers,  who  wished  Eaton  to  take  one  of 
theii-men  servants. 


GEN.    EATON.  18.3 

scrubs,  makes  punch,  intrigues,  fights  and  prescribes 
for  me,  for  the  moderate  sum  of  five  dollars  per 
month,  and  the  perquisite  of  purloining  every  thing 
wliiek  I  cannot  miss.  I  regret  that  I  cannot  oblige 
the  ladiefj. 

Extracts  ;  to  Hon.   S.  Lyman,  Esq.  Springfield. 

JLpril  2QtJi,  1799. 

A  mind  accustomed,  in  a  country  like  ours,  to  feast 
on  the  calm  and  manly  happiness  of  contemplating,  on 
every  point,  his  fellow  men  in  the  full  enjoyment  of 
equal  rights  and  equal  protection,  must  here  be  al- 
most transported  to  madness  in  viewing  the  extremes 
of  intolerable  insolence  and  of  the  basest  abjection 
which  every  where  exhibit  themselves. 

Blindness  seems  peculiar  to  this  country.  The 
streets  are  crowded  with  blind  beggars,  sitting  wrap- 
ped about  witli  miserable  blankets,  crying  for  cliari- 
ty  for  the  love  of  JMahomet.  I  believe  I  have  pass- 
ed an  hundred  of  these  wretches  in  half  a  mile's 
walk.  I  think  this  malady  may  be  imputed  to  the 
stimulating  effect  of  tobacco  smoke,  whidi  is  taken 
incessantly  among  the  men,  without  a  suflRcient  use 
of  animal  food  to  restore  the  fluids  which  are  dissi- 
pated by  this  unnatural  stimulus.  The  use  of  tobac- 
co in  any  shape  I  believe  pernicious  to  the  human 
system.  Experience  has  taught  me  it  is  so  to  habits 
like  mine  ;  and  observation  has  persuaded  me  it  is 
so  to  all  habits.  Yet  it  seems  to  fascinate  half  the 
world  of  mankind  :  but  in  no  place  are  men  so  tobac- 
co-mad as  in  the  Turkish  dominions.  It  is  as  un- 
common to  meet  a  Turk  here  without  a  pipe  as  it  is 
to  meet  a  stripling  in  our  fashionable  towns  in  Anier- 
ica  without  a  segar. 

To  GrEORGE    HoUGH,  Esq, 

September  idtli,  1799. 
TIME  was,  friend  Hough,  when  you  and  I  laugh- 
ed away  an  hour  as  happily  as  poor  men  could. 


iQ'h  LIFE   OF 

But  no  more  !  That  however  is  a  portion  of  the 
23astj  on  wliich  I  frequently  seize,  and  in  a  kind  of 
retrospective  pleasure  act  over  and  over  again,  to  fill 
the  vacuity  of  the  j^resent, 

Tkis  place  of  my  exile  furnishes  much  material 
for  contemplation,  but  very  little  of  enjoyment  ;  it  is 
therefore  among  the  ruins  of  departed  pleasures  that 
my  mind  retrogrades  for  subsistence  :  few  periods 
furnish  more  than  that  of  our  early  acquaintance. 

This  country  is  indeed  beautiful  and  naturally 
productive  of  every  thing  which  any  soil  or  climate 
on  earth  can  be  made  to  produce  ;  but  it  is  badly 
cultivated,  because  the  wretched  subjects  who  are 
parched  upon  its  surface  have  so  precarious  a  title 
to  the  produce  of  their  labor,  that  they  find  no  stim- 
ulus to  industry  and  enterprize.  A  naked  subsist, 
ence  therefore  bounds  their  ambition,  and  a  confirm- 
ed state  of  oppression  has  settled  them  into  habitual 
indolence  and  contentment.  Upon  the  vast  surface 
of  this  extensive  coast,  naturally  as  fertile  and  as 
generous  as  the  bosom  of  youth,  little  else  is  to  be 
seen  than  wandering  families  of  sunburnt  Moors, 
whose  only  houses  are  tents  of  camels  hair,  and 
whose  only  property  is  a  few  herds  of  cattle  and 
sheep,  a  little  poultry  and  a  patch  of  corn.  A  hand- 
ful of  olives  and  a  morsel  of  bread  serve  them  for 
their  daily  subsistence.  A  mat  of  reeds  fiirnislies 
their  bed,  their  seat  and  their  table  :  and  a  flannel 
blanket,  thrown  loosely  about  them,  their  whole 
wardrobe.  The  simplicity  of  their  living  is  a  strik- 
ing proof  how  little  may  suflBce  to  support  life  ;  and 
when  contrasted  with  the  tables  of  the  afliluent, 
provf',s  also  hov/  much  is  devoured  tliere  without 
zest  and  without  cheer,  which  might  other\^ise  re- 
lieve distress  and  gladden  the  heart  of  sorrow. 
They  seem  to  have  enough  and  to  be  happy.  They 
enjoy  perfect  health  :  live  to  great  old  age,  and  then 
gradually  decline  away,  like  old  trees,  without  pain 
and  without  even  a  consciousness  of  decay.  Such 
are  the  natii^c.s  of  the  country.     The  Turks  are   en 


GEN.    EATON.  *  166 

tirely  a  different  species  of  men.     So  indeed  are  the 
inhabitants  of  their  cities  and  walled  towns.     The 
city  of  Tunis  is  inhabited  by  a  morty  herd  of  ani- 
mals.    Here  within  the  circumference  of  about   sev- 
en miles,  three  hundred   tliousand  souls  arc  cram- 
ed  into  subterraneous  cells,  Jews,  Moors,   Italians 
and   Turks,  like    moles,  bats,   vipers  and  wolves. 
The   houses   are   generally   low,   built  of  brick   or 
mud  ;  their   walls   contiguous  to  each  other,  admit- 
ting the  light  only  through  an  aperture   in  the  top  ; 
and,  the  narrow  streets  are  so  filled  by  the  oftiil  of 
two  or  three  thousand  years,  that  the  descent  to  the 
floor  in    many  of  them  is  from  one  to  two  or  three 
feet.     The  middling  and  poorer  people  have  but  one 
apartment,  an  oblong  square  arched  over,   aboUt  fif- 
teen  feet  long  and  from  ten  to   twelve  l)road.     The 
]>etter   sort  have  square  houses,   with  an  open  space 
in  the  centre,  on  each  side  of  which  is  a  room   with 
necessary  apartments.     Here  and  there  are  elevated, 
among  these  dens,   spacious   stone  buildings  of  rich 
Turks  and  foreign  ministers  ;  huge   piles  of  castles 
and  enormous  mosques.     The  tops  of  the  houses  are 
all  flat,  and  in  the  wet  season  of  the  year  are  covered 
with  vegetation,  which,  viewed  from  the   terrace  of 
the  American  house,  which  has  an  elevation  of  three 
story  above  the  ordinary  houses,  present  a  very   gro- 
tesque appearance.     Of  the  great  number  of  souls, 
who   inhabit  this  small   space,    one    iialf,  the   wo- 
men,   never   but   once,  during    their    whole    lives, 
go  Avithout  the  Malls  of  their  wretched  prisons  ;  and 
then  only  to  be  transplanted  into  a  confinement  which 
has  undoubtedly  more  allurements  but  stricter  vigils^ 
the  house  of  a  husband  ;  and  never  without  the  Myalls 
of  the    city.     Add  to  this,  one   third  of  the  whole 
number,  the  mechanics,    who  never  during  life  go 
three  leagues  from   the   spot  of  their  birtli.     Rere 
then  are  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  animals,  in 
the  shape  of  human  beings,  w^ho  vegetate  and  set  in 
the  same  sink.     The  small  number  who  venture  out 
confine  their  travels  to  privateering  and  coramercial 


466  LIFE   OF 

voyages,  within  the  confines  of  the  Mediterranean, 
or  to  the  semiannual  revolution  of  the  camp,  to  gath- 
er tithes  from  the  poor  natives. 

They  have  no  books  but  the  Alcoran,  which,  not 
one  in  a  hundred  can  read,  and  of  course  no  light  but 
divine  lights  which,  all  experience  teaches  us,  when 
admitted  in  exclusion  of  the  light  of  common  sense, 
guides  men  to  palpable  darkness.  From  these  prem- 
ises you  Avill  conclude  that  superstition  and  fanati- 
cism have  their  rankest  growth  here.  No — They 
are  ranker  in  Italy  and  Spain,  because  speculators  in 
divinity  have  more  influence  there ;  but  here  they 
are  rank.  In  the  twilight,  (this  is  the  time  of 
^jrayers,)  when  parting  day  and  solitude  shed  a  kind 
f)f  solemnity  over  the  mind,  I  frequently  walk  upon 
my  house  top  and  view  the  animal  world  below. 
1  behold  at  the  same  instant  hundreds  of  souls  upon 
their  terraces  prostrating  themselves  at  the  shrine  of 
tlieir  tutelar  deity,  while  in  the  cells  below  and 
mosques  is  heard  the  din  of  incessant  prayer.  With 
their  faces  towards  Mecca,  they  kneel,  they  pray  ; 
fall  prostrate  on  the  ground  and  kiss  thfi  dust.  They 
continue  long  at  these  devotions.  With  sad  distor- 
tions of  countenance,  souls  agitated  with  holy  zeal, 
and  hearts  religiously  distended  with  hatred  towards 
the  unbelieving  dogs  who  are  not  blinded  with  their 
liglit,  they  bless  God  that  they  were  born  under  the 
influence  of  the  trite  religion,  and  were  not  left  to  per- 
ish under  Christian  delusion.*  A  thousand  ideas, 
faster  than  I  can  digest  them,  rusli  upon  my  mind  on 
these  solemn  occasions  :  and,  whether  from  pity  or 
from  sympatliy  I  know  not,  my  soul  joins  the  torrent 
/jf  prayer.  ^''  Incomprehensible  source  of  being  and 
perfection  !  Can  these  devotions  of  thy  creatures,  so 
sensible  of  their  dependence,  however  darkly  ignor- 
ant they  are,   and  however  erroneous  they  may  be, 

•  I  asked  a  Turk  who  frequents  my  house  ifhe  would  go 
to  America  and  turn  Christian  ?  He  said  he  should  like  to  go 
there  ;  but  for  a  thousand  worlds  he  would  not  turn  Christian 
and  lose  his  soul. 


GEN.    EATON.  i6'f 

can  they  be  less  acceptable  to  thee  than  the  sacrifices 
of  souls  more  refined,  offered  with  less  simplicity  and 
equal  arrogance  ?  Or  art  thou  moved  like  a  sec- 
tarian and  wrought  upon  by  a  rite  ?  Do  I  not  at  this 
moment  conceive  thee  addressed  throngli  a  million 
different  channels  ;  and  may  they  not  all  direct  their 
course  to  the  vast  ocean,  of  thy  goodness  ?"  But  these 
are  eiaculatory  enquiries  too  sacred  to  be  explained 
to  a  natural  man  :  I  leave  them  therefore  to  the  so- 
lution of  those  distinguished  ministers  of  light  who 
have  penetrated  the  arcana  of  God,  and  pursue  my 
observations  as  a  layman,  only  begging  the  indul- 
gence to  turn  the  period  of  my  prayer  with, 

"  Let  not  this  weak,  unknowing  hand 

Presume  thy  bolts  to  throw  ; 
Nor  deal  damnation  round  the  land 

On  each  I  judge  thy  foe." 

I  said  they  pray  with  their  faces  towards  Mecca, 
Can  you  be  persuaded  that  the  more  enlightened  of 
these  favorites  of  heaven  are  so  particular  in  this 
point  that  they  shape  their  position  with  a  compass  ?' 
li  is  true  !  The  tomb  of  our  savior  lias  a  variation 
from  this  point  of  only  eighteen  degrees  from  that  of 
Mahomet,  which  is  imperceptible  to  the  eye.  Should 
accident  or  ignorance,  on  these  occasions,  point  a 
Mussulman's  nose  towards  Jerusalem,  jealousy  might 
induce  the  prophet  to  consider  it  as  a  breach  of  good 
faith,  a  compliment  meant  to  his  rival,  and  an  insult 
offered  to  his  dignity,  which  would  incense  the  father 
of  gods  and  men  to  rain  wrath  upon  the  hapless 
subject  of  this  error.  In  Italy  this  same  equal  God 
would  pour  equal  wrath  upon  the  blasphemous 
scoundrel,  who  to  the  prejudice  of  the  true  Messiali 
should  pay  a  civility  to  the  memory  of  Mahomet  ! 
Man  !  Thou  paragon  of  rational  inconsistency  ! 
How  grateful  ought  thou  to  be  to  thy  common  Fa- 
ther for  pitying  thy  weakness,  suffering  thy  absurdi- 
ties^ pardoning,  thy  pride  and  withholding  fro  id  thee 


16S  LIFE   OP 

bis  bolts  of  vengeance  with  which  thou  woiildst 
reciprocally  destroy  and  reciprocally  damn  thy 
whole  race  ! 

The  ignorance,  superstitious  tradition  and  civil 
and  religious  tyrranny,  which  depress  the  human 
mind  here,  exclude  improvement  of  every  kind  ; 
consequently  the  same  habits,  customs  and  manners, 
whicli  were  observed  in  the  east  three  thousand  years 
ago,  are  still  prevalent  here.  Every  thing  is  done 
ii)  the  greatest   possible  disadvantage. 

The  Turli^s  are  the  lords  of  the  country.  They 
form  the  government  and  the  regular  military,  and. 
although  they  bear  a  very  small  portion  to  the  whole 
number  of  inhabitants,  every  thing  yields  to  their 
convenience  and  pleasure.  They  are  consequently 
imperious,  overbearing  and  insolent ;  regardless  of 
human  right  and  unmoved  by  human  misery.  They 
subsist  generally  by  plunder  of  some  kind  ;  either 
indirectly  upon  the  natives  of  the  country,  or  directly 
upon  the  effeminate  Christian  powers  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean, with  some^one  of  whom,  for  this  sole  pur- 
pose,  they  are  perpetually  at  war.  The  government 
draws  its  support  from  the  same  sources  ;  and,  to 
the  shame  of  Christendom  and  hnmanity,  has  so  es- 
tablished the  system,  that  Europe  and  America  stip- 
ulate its  guarantee  by  treaty  compact.  The  general 
principle  of  the  Barbary  Regencies  is  the  same. 

Algiers  has  seven  kings  of  Europe  and  two  repub- 
lics, besides  the  American  empire,  held  in  direct  or 
indirect  tribute.  Yet  1  consider  Algiers  far  from  be- 
ing invuljierable  from  the  most  inconsiderable  of 
those  powers.  Tunis  is  but  little  less  arrogant, 
though  far  less  formidable.  What  can  induce  these 
submissions  ?  A  groveling  policy  in  the  more  nort]i- 
ern  states  of  Europe,  founded  on  commercial  rival- 
ship,  of  feeing  these  pirates  to  raise  impediments  to 
each  other,  and  a  cowardly  effeminacy  which  has 
long  since  unmanned  Spain,  Italy  and  the  Islands  in 
their  dependencies,  and  which  has  cultivated  a  spir- 
it of  tame  submission.     What  should  have  brought 


GEN.    EATON.  l69 

America  into  the  measure  ?  Covetousness,  jealousy 
of  their  own  government  and  illfounded  credulity  in 
foreign  intervention.     Had  the  government  of  the  U- 
nited  States   persevered  in  their  first  resolutions  of 
showing  a  force  in  this  sea,  we  miglit  have  held  our 
own   terms  :  but,   to  save  the  expense  of  that  arma- 
ment,  we  have  expended  as  much  cash  in  negocia- 
tion  as  its  equipment  would  have  cost  :  we  have  en- 
tailed  on  ourselves  and  posterity  the  payment  of  a 
tribute,  which,  with  freight  and  insurance,    will  a- 
mount  annually  to  forty  thousand  dollars  ;  and  we 
have  obtained,  with  two  of  these  regencies,  a  preca- 
rious peace.     I  say  jjifecainous,  because  all  experi- 
ence teaches  us  that  no  peace  between  nations   can 
be  permanent,  which  is  not  guaranteed  by  mutual  in- 
terests or  equal  force,  longer  than  while  the  imposing 
power  is  paid  an  equivalent  to  the  probable  advanta- 
ges of  breaking  it.     These  Regencies  will  fabricate 
pretexts   for  accumulating  their  claims  upon  us,  so 
long  as  we  shall  have   a  commerce  in  this  sea   wort]i 
these  sacrifices  to  their  avarice  for  its  protection,  and 
we  remain  apparently  in  a  situation  to  give  it  no  oth- 
er more   eft'eetual   protection.     We  have,  therefore, 
only  this  clioice  of  measures,  to  concede  uncondition- 
ally to  their  demands,  or  to  elfectuate  diflferent   hab' 
its  of  feeling  among  them  towards  us   from  the  pres- 
ent, by  showing  a  force  here.     We  liave  no   other 
alternative.     It  is  indeed  an  erroneous  calculation  to 
seek  to  save  the  expense  of  this  kind  of  protection  by 
stipulating  payments  to  a  gang  of  fearless  robbers, 
whose  avidity  for  plunder  is  as  insatiable  as  death  ; 
not  to  say  any  thing  of  the   national  degradation  col- 
lateral to  this   measure.     My   fellow   citizens   then 
may  reconcile  tliemselves  to  open  their  purses  to  buy 
otto  of  roses  to   perfume  Mussulmen's  beards,  or  to 
open  their  gun  ports  to  protect  their  purses  and  re- 
deem   their  reputation.     For  my  own  part  it  grates 
me  mortally,  when  I  see  a  lazy  Turk  reclining  at  his 
case  upon  an  embroidered  sopha,  with  one  christian 
slave  to  fan  away  the  flies,  another  to  hand  his  cof- 

^2 


170  LIFE    OF 

fee,  and  a  tiiird  to  hold  his  pipe  ;  and  when  1  reflect' 
tliat  the  sweat  of  my  countrymen  contributes  to  pro- 
cure him  this  ease.  It  is  still  more  grating  to  per- 
ceive that  the  Turk  believes  he  has  a  right  to  de- 
mand this  contribution,  and  that  we,  like  Italians, 
have  not  fortitude  to  resist  it,  England,  at  present, 
seems  to  be  the  only  nation  of  Europe  suitably  re- 
spected by  these  Regencies  !  The  lion  of  England 
shows  them  his  teeth.  Algiers  feigns  a  friendship 
for  the  United  State,  for  the.  same  reason  that  an  old 
bawd  falls  violently  in  love  with  a  young  facior  ; 
she  has  got  hold  of  liis  purse  strings  and  is  determin- 
ed to  pick  his  pockets.  It  is  but  justice  to  say  of 
Tunis  tliat  it  has^  a  wise  and  an  amiable  prhice,  but 
he  entertains  no  adequate  ideas  of  the  importance  of 
the  United-  States  :  he  cannot  discriminate  between' 
Mediterranean  and  transatlantic  Christians.  When 
I  talk  to  hira  of  tfcs  strength,  independence  and  en- 
terprise of  my  country,  he  leers  at  it  :  I  hope  he  may 
be  taught  to  think  more  justly  of  us. 

Were  I  to  go  into  a  detail  of  the  insults,  aggres- 
sions and  barbarities  which  these  pirates  are  every 
day  practising  upon  their  tame  Christian  neighbors^ 
you  would  be  astonished.  It  is  a  common>  thing  a- 
mong  them  to  take  masters  and  seamen  out  of  the 
nierciiant  vessels  in  their  harbors,  and  unmercifully 
bastinade  them  for  refusing  any  thing  required  of 
them  however  trifling  or  however  extravagant.  I 
think  it  would  throw  me  into  a  perspiration  to  see  ait 
American  treated  in  this  manner.  Yet,  if  found 
here,  they  areas  subject  to  it  under  existing  circum- 
stances as  any  other  Christians. 

I  can  iix  no  period  to  the  probable  time  of  my   se- 
clusion from  society  and  happiness.     Please  to  men- 
tion me  agreeably  to  your  lady  ;  and  believe  me  t» 
be,  my  dear  sir,  as  cordially  and  as  shicerely  as  ever, 
Your  friend  and  humble  servant^ 

WILLIAM  EATON. 


GEN.    EATON.  ^^l 


Extract  :  To  Mr.  Pickering,  f  Private  J 

FROM   the   similarity  of  soil   and  eli 
mate  between  this    country  and   some  parts  of  tlie 
United  States,   it   may   be   presumed   that  the  rfa/e, 
jig  and  olive  tree,  may  be  successfully  cultivated  in 
our  country. 

The  date  seeks  a  dry,  hot  bed  of  sand  :  it  grows 
where  no  other  vegetation  is  seen.  The  pine  bar- 
rens of  Georgia  would  be  peculiarly  friendly  to  this 
tree.  It  is  produced  from  the  seed ;  is  slow  in 
growth,  but  very  durable.  It  very  much  resembles 
in  appearance  tlie  cabbage  tree.  The  fruit  is  very 
nutritive  :  many  people  upon  the  borders  of  the 
desert  subsist  almost  entirely  upon  it.  It  is  used  as 
a  dessert  at  many  tables.  I  send  a  few  seeds  ])y 
Mr.  Shaw  ;  and  could  wish  that  an  experiment 
might  be  made  with  them  by  putting  them  into  tlie 
hands  of  a  Georgiau,  who  extends  his  ideas  of  agri- 
cultural improvement  to  the  Yazoo  grants,  and  a 
Jiundred  years  into  futurity.  The  tree  requires  wa- 
tering in  the  hot  seasons.  The  fig  also  flourishes  in 
^  sandy  soil  :  it  requires  less  moisture  than  the  date. 
The  wild,  fig  grows  spontaneously  upon  the  islands 
on  the  coasts  of  Georgia  ;  which  is  a  sufficient  proof 
that  the  true  may  be  cultivated  there.  If  the  scion 
can  be  grafted  I  intend  trying  the  experiment  of  in- 
troducing it  to  America.  The  healthy  properties  of 
this  fruit  arc  known  to  every  body.  When  green,  as 
well  as  dry,  it  forms  an  agreeable  dessert. 

The  olive  requires  a  tenaceous  soil ;  but  the  cir- 
cumstance of  the  plains  of  this  country  being  ver- 
dant with  them,  wlien  there  has  not  fallen  a  drop  of 
rain  for  more  that  fifteen  weeks,  proves  tliat  the  tree 
can  subsist  with  very  little  moisture.  The  marly 
soil  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi,  and  the  clay 
bottoms  of  the  Southern  States,  would  be  most  prob- 
4?blv    favorable  to  tlie  cnltivation  of  the  olive.     It  if 


17^  LIFE    OF 

produced  from  the  slip  :  it  is  of  slow  growth  ;  but  it 
lives  to  an  amazing  age.  We  see  olive  groves  here 
which  from  the  ruins  of  walls  that  enclosed  them, 
appear  to  have  been  planted  by  Europeans  ;  and 
which  are  yet  fruitful.  There  is  no  need  that  any 
thing  should  be  said  of  the  produce  of  this  tree 
neither  as  it  respects  the  sustenance  of  life  nor  as  a 
source  of  wealth.  I  contemplate  attempting  to  in- 
troduce this  tree  also  to  America  if  circumstances 
should  operate  to  favor  the  project.  I  do  not  know 
that  tiie  project  has  been  assayed.  Whatever  may 
be  the  success  of  it,  the  anticipation  that  future  gener- 
ations may  sec  sources  of  life  and  wealth  covering 
the  immense  sand  and  clay  barrens  of  our  countrj'^, 
which  now  present  a  discouraging  surface,  is  an 
agreeable  subject  of  contemplation. 

To  Mrs.  Eatox. 

Tunis^  ^flpril  13/A,  1800. 
I  AM  at  this  moment  exceedingly  press- 
ed with  business,  having  with  me  two  ships  loading 
for  Europe,  and  having  communications  to  make  tQ 
government  of  the  ultimate  result  of  my  exertions 
the  last  year.  Every  thing  is  well  Avith  me,  both 
public  and  personal.  I  have  received  tlie  full  ap- 
probation of  the  President  on  the  manner  in  which  I 
have  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  United  States  in  a 
very  critical  moment  ;  and  the  warm  expressions  of 
friendship  of  Mr.  Pickering  in  a  private  letter  from 
him  on  tlie  sulvject.  I  should  not  mention  theie 
things,  but  I  suppose  a  man  may  be  a  Yiiiloi  familiar 
with  his  u'ife  without  being  charged  with  vanity. 
Besides,  I  know  you  feel  every  thing  which  touches 
me.  My  prospects  of  commerce  are  truly  flatter- 
ing ;  and  my  health,  thank  God,  was  never  better. 
You  have  wept  for  me,  Eliza.  God  will  let  us  re- 
joice  together.  1  am  more  and  more  persuaded 
that  theifc  is  a  siipeviotcndant  power,    a  Being  of 


GEN.    EATON.  173 

justice,  who  regards  liiiman  affairs,  and  who  maketh 
the  upright  exertions  of  a  man  to  prosper. 

To  Mr.  Pickering.  fPrivate.J 

Tunis,  May  iSth,  1800. 
I  READ   your  friendly^  letter  of  iSth 
January,  with  infinite  satisfaction  and  a  due  sense  of 
gratitude.     I  am  not  less  sensible  to  the  honor  done 
me  by  the  approbation  the  President  has  been  pleas- 
ed to  confer  on  ray  conduct  here. 

I  am  haj)py  the  discretion  I  used  iit  diawing  an  out- 
fit* did  not  incur  censure.  The  situation  in'Avhich  I 
found  myself  on  arriving  here  rendered  some  such 
expedient  necessary.  It  was  not  without  hesita- 
tion I  adopted  it,  not  feeling  confident  that  my  de- 
ductions from  your  comments  would  be  admitted  ; 
knowing  however,  that,  if  not  finally  allowed,  it 
might  be  placed  to  my  debt  on  account  of  salary. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  note  here,  what  I  do  not 
chuse  should  appear  in  my  official  communications, 
unless  a  question  be  made  on  the  subject,  that  the 
British  consul's  stated  salary  is  800/.  sterling  per  an. 
and  perquisites  of  office,  last  year,  nearly  12007. 
The  Dutch  consul's,  who  is  charge  des  affairs  for  the 
Emperor  and  Republic  of  Ragusa,  about  3000  dol- 
lars ;  perquisites  of  office  more  than  three  times  this 
sum  last  year  ;  Ragusa  being  the  principal  carrier 
for  Tunis  ;  and  the  consul  receiving  five  per  cent  on 
the  freight  of  their  vessels  :  (the  British  Consul  also 
takes  five  per  cent : )  the  Danish  Consul  about  3000 
idollars  :  the  Spanish  Consul  4000  dollars  and  all 
expenses  defrayed  by  government,  even  his  ward 
robe  :  the  Swede  about  3000  dollars. 

From  an  estimate  of  the  expenses  of  my  table  the 
last  year,  I  find  its  amount  D. 1,970  48  cts.  exclusive 
of  clothing,  horsekeeping  and  domestics'  salaries. 
My  house,  however,  the  last  year^j  has   been  a  cara- 

*  S2,000. 


174  LIFE   OF 

vansary.  Every  body,  who  had  the  ear  of  the  Bey, 
whether  Christian  (Famin  excepted)  or  Mussulman, 
(the  latter  have  no  scruples  to  a  glass  of  wine  under 
a  thristian  flag,)  have  been  my  ^'  good  friends.'* 
For  this  sum  a  family  might  have  been  subsisted. 

Market  provisions  are  much  dearer  here  than  in 
Algiers  ;  say  33  1-3  per  cent.  Ought  not  the  sala- 
ry to  be  in  proportion  ?  The  consular  houses  are 
much  more  in  stile.  If  the  American  be  singular  in 
liis  resourses  this  will  not  be  admitted  as  a  sufficient 
excuse  for  his  being  so  in  his  expenses.  The  outfit 
helped  me.  The  surplus  of  furnishing  the  house 
and  what  cash  I  brought  out,  I  embarked,  incog, 
in  trade  with  an  English  gentleman  :  and  it  has  suc- 
ceeded beyond  my  calculation.  I  was  compelled  to 
do  this  or  go  into  debt. 

To  Mr.  Pynchox. 

Tunis,  May  2Sd,  1800. 
IT  was  not  my  intention  to  write  you  by 
this  opportunity,  because  my  vacant  head  could  in- 
dict nothing  worth  your  reading.  But,  rummaging 
this  morning,  among  old  passports,  bills  of  health, 
manifests,  protests,  old  letters  and  manuscript  chaos 
of  my  own,  I  found,  in  a  mutilated  state,  the  original 
of  the  enclosed  scrap.  They  are  rhapsodies  which 
occurred  at  the  instant  of  hearing  of  tlie  death  of  the 
best  and  greatest  mere  man  who  ever  died.  On  a 
review  of  it  I  like  it  ;  not  because  it  is  poetical  or 
elegant ;  but  because  it  is  a  strong  expression  of  the 
impression  the  intelligence  made  on  my  mind.  I 
send  it  to  you  that  it  may  be  printed,  under  your  in- 
spection, in  the  waste  corner  of  a  Newspaper.  It 
savors  a  little  of  heathenism,  but  not  in  tlie  least  of 
atheism  nor  democracy  * 


GEN.    EATON.  17^ 


WASHINGTON'S  Reception   in  Elysium. 

IT  was  a  glad  inorn  when  great  Jove  announced, 
"  Our  glorious  Washington  arrives  to  day." 
A  thousand  suns,  to  grace  the  arch  of  heaven, 
Were  lighted  into  lustre  on  the  occasion  ; 
And  stars,  that  twinkled  through  the  beams  of  day. 
Were  ranged  to  add  a  brilliance  to  the  grandeur. 

A  barge,  constructed  of  the  deals  of  life, 
Manned  by  eight  heroes'  spirits  ;  anlient  half. 
Half  modern  ;  David,  Israel's  royal  warrior  ; 
Cyrus  the  Persian  Conqueror  ;  Philip's  son  ; 
And  Rome's  first  Emperor,  mighty  Julius  C-esau  j 
Alfhkd  the  Great ;  Lewis  the  boast  of  France  ; 
PiBTER  the  Czar,  and  Prussia's  deathless  Frederic  ; 
Drake  at  the  helm  ;  bore  him  across  the  Styx. 
Phocion  and  Fabius,  Charlemagne  and  Warren, 
Stood  and  received  him  on  the  other  aiAe  ; 
And  led  him  through  Avcrnus.     On  the  fields 
Of  fair  Elysium,  ranged  in  open  order, 
With  arms  presented,  stood  the  host  of  heaven. 

As  he  approached  the  right,  a  signal  given, 
The  park  celestial  thundered  a  salute. 

Once  more  were  seen  his  loved  compatriots, 
Heroes  who  bled  on  young  Columbia's  plains. 
Proceeding  joyful  in  their  General's  train. 

As  he  drew  near  the  city,  every  gate 
Was  thrown  wide  open.     On  the  lofty  rampans, 
Celestial  myriads  crouded,  gazed  and  shouted, 
While  all  heaven's  batteries  thundered  a  salute. 

A  million  virgins  o'er  the  gilded  pavements 
Spread  laurel,  cassia,  aromatic  flowers  ; 
And  sang,  once  more,  "   The  conquering  Hero  corwes." 

Great  nature's  monarch  from  his  pearly  throne 
Rose  gracious  ;  and,  all  affable,  half  bending, 
Half  did  him  homage,  while  he  bade  him  wellcome  : 
And  all  the  court  of  Jove  lespectful  bowed. 

All  night  old  Franklin,  seated  on  a  cloud, 
Displayed  illuminations  through  the  realm. 

Such  the  respect  the  great  accord  to  goodness. 
And  such  the  joy  which  filled  the  etherial  courts. 
When  WASHINGTON  received  a  crown  immortal. 

But,  o'er  the  Western  hemisphere  of  earth. 
Thai  day  was  veiled  in  sadness  :  poignant  grief, 
Unknown  till  then,  oppressed  a  nation's  breast ; 
And  half  a  world  o'erwhelmed  in  mighty  sorrow. 


176  LIFE   OF 

Weep  not,  Columbia,  that  thy  Son  and  Soldier 
Ascends  te  glory  unalloyed,  eternal. 
Wouldst  thou  confine  a  soul  like  his  to  earth, 
Where  black  higratitude  and  envy  reign 
In  half  the  hearts  of  men  ?  Perhaps  he  still 
Remains  thy  Guardian  Genius  and  thy  Friend. 
Most  sure  1  am  heaven  can  bestow  no  gift, 
No  honors  grant,  confer  no  dignity. 
So  grateful  half  as  this  ;  reward  so  ample 
For  all  his  toils  and  virtues  as  a  man, 
And  sure  I  am,  there's  no  competitor, 
In  heaven  or  earth,  that  can  with  him  contest 
The  claim  to  this  distinction  and  deposit. 

Weep  not,  Columbia,  Washington  is  still 
Thy  Guardian  Genius  thy  immortal  Guide.* 

Bar  bar  y^  March  Is?,  1800. 

To  Mr.  Harris. 

Tmiis,  June  iSth^  1800. 
THE  death  of  our  Patriarch  had  been 
told  through  this  region,  before  your  letter  announc- 
ed  it.  You  have  wept  iii  America^  You  have  had 
cause  .  The  world  should  weep.  Man  has  lost  a 
friend  !  As  a  man  and  as  an  American^  1  feel  a  deep 
impression  of  manly  sorrow.  But  as  a  christian,  and 
an  admirer  of  that  extraordinary  man,  I  am  glad  he 
has  ascended.  He  lived  enough  to  glory  !  enougli 
to  usefulness.  It  were  unkind  to  wish  him  longer 
from  home  :  we  owe  infinite  gratitude  to  heaven  for 
lending  him  so  long.  He  has  left  us  the  immortal 
monumenis  of  his  virtue.  He  has  left  us  his  exam- 
ples. He  has  left  us  a  country.  Long  as  America 
retains  a  single   symptom  of  patriotism,   honor,  or 

*  See  his  valedictory  address  to  the  Citizens  of  the  Unhed 
States  in  1795.  Read  it  in  thy  holy  filaces.  Bind  it  about  thy 
neck.  Print  it  on  the  tablet  of  thy  heart.  It  shall  keep  thee 
from  the  strange  vjoman.^  It  shall  deliver  tliee  from  the  //«" 
lot\  that  lieth  in  wait  for  thy  soul. 

t  Sister  France  1 

\  Mother  Biitain  ' 


truth,  60  long  hei*  citizens,  oft  as  the  name  of  Wash- 
ington occurs,  shall  feel  their  own  virtues  reinforced, 
and  blush  at  corruption  :  even  depravity  itself  shall 
feel  a  dignified  pride  from  the  reflected  honor  to 
have  been  born  iri  a  country  which  bore  such  a  son. 

Treachery  and  fraud  will  be  repulsed  at  the 
idea  that  the  spirit  of  Washington  witnesses  their 
intrigues.  America  has  lost  a.  friend  and  k father. 
Heaven  has  acquh'ed  an  ornament  and  a  son. 

N.  B.  Do  Rot  forget  to  send  me  a  register.  The 
object  is  not  so  much  to  know  the  "  new  moons  and 
appointed  feasts,"  as  the  departments  of  State,  war, 
navy,  members  of  Congress,  promotions,  depressions, 
bills  of  mortality,  births,  marriages,  revivals  of  re- 
ligion, extraordinary  instances  of  conversions  to  fed- 
eralism, epigrams  anecdotes,  recipes  to  cure  the  bite  of 
mad  dogs,  mad  politicians,  and  rattle  snakes,  (they  are 
all  a  bite^)  the  sting  of  scorpions,  plague  and  hypo  ; 
and  such  other  useful  and  wise  matters  as  "  the  gen- 
tleman's annual  pocket  remembrancer^'  generally 
contains. 

To  Mr.  PiCKEiiiNG,  f  Private.  J 

Tunis,  July  21  sf,  1800. 
THE  morning  next  succeeding  the  de- 
parture of  his  Danish  Majesty's  Consul  General,  the 
Danish  Masters  of  vessels,  then  captured,  six  in 
number,  came  in  a  body  and  desired  me  to  redeem 
their  vessels.  It  was  understood  that  they  could 
opon  a  credit  in  Leghorn.  I  accordingly  went  to 
the  minister,  and  proposed,  in  my  own  name,  to 
purchase  the  Danish  vessels.  He  closed  with  the 
proposal  and  appointed  his  agent.  I  examined  the 
vessels  ;  (they  had  not  been  tlien  plundered  ';)  and 
made  an  offer.  He  demanded  time  to  deliberate. 
In  the  interim  the  Danish  Captains  discovered  ap- 
prehensions of  danger  in  pursuing  the  project* 
My  word  was  passed  ;  and  my  only  hope  rested  iii 
refusal  of  my  bid  on  the   part   of  the  Government. 

S3 


478  LIFE   OF 

Famin  overbid  me.  Government  reported,  by  theii= 
agent,  his  bid.  To  which  I  replied  that  I  consider- 
ed the  business  at  an  end  on  my  part,  because  I  was 
fixed  in  my  first  bid  The  next  day  I  departed  for 
Biserte  :  but  had  been  but  twelve  hours  there  when  a 
message  arrived  expressing  the  astonishment  of  the 
government  at  my  departure,  because  their  agent 
had  received  orders  to  close  with  my  offer.  I  re- 
turned immediately  :  finished  the  bargain,  and  fixed 
on  the  mode  of  payment.  I  now  reported  the  busi- 
ness to  the  Danish  Captains  ;  but  they  failed  alto- 
gether. T  nov/  found  myself  in  possession  of  six 
vessels,  purchased  on  credit,  in  a  situation  by  no 
means  eligible. 

To  Mrs.  Eaton. 

Tunis,  *lugust  idth,  1800. 
YOU  will  probably  feel  anxious  to  know  by 
every  occasion,  the  situation  of  my  health  and  affairs, 
particularly  as  you  may  have  heard  that  the  plague 
is  in  this  city.  With  satisfaction  I  announce  to  you 
that  we  are  no  longer  alarmed  by  that  destroyer.  It 
is  now  six  days  since  any  accident  has  happened  ; 
and  we  have  a  flattering  hope  that  the  malady  has 
subsided  altogether.  I  am,  thank  God^  in  perfect 
health.  My  affairs  are  on  a  good  footing  :  my 
prospects  flattering.  My  resolutions  to  return  to  A- 
meriea  next  spring  fixed. 

Being  charged  with  the  affairs  of  the  Danish  na- 
tion, I  redeemed  six  prise  vessels  for  their  Captains  ; 
but  they,  fa,iling  in  pavment,  have  abandoned  the 
vessels  to  me.  If  no  unforeseen  accident  befal  me, 
we  may  count  on  a  speculation  here  of  ten  thousand 
dollars,  on  a  moderate  calculation  :  and  the  business 
conducied  on  the  broadest  principles  of  equity  and 
honor.  I  purchased  on  credit,  of  the  Government  of 
Tunis.  No  man  has,  at  this  moment,  more  credit  nor 
influence  here  than  the  American  Consul.  After  a 
year  of  the   most   anxious   perplexity  and  concern, 


GEN.    EATON.  179 

fortune  began  to  play  into  my  bands,  and  tbe  iiekle 
Goddess  has  almost  persuaded  me  tliat  she  will  not 
immediately  change  sides.  I  shall  be  careful  to  add 
my  exertions  to  hers  ;  and  without  some  unforeseen 
impediment ,  I  know  not  why  we  may  not  keep 
company  tiP  I  may  have  the  felicity  to  consign  the 
product  of  our  enterprises  to  a  Lady  of  a  much 
more  stable  and  constant  character  than  Dame  For- 
tune. In  short,  if  I  should  happen  to  make  a  hand- 
some property  here,  I  trust  no  candid  commentator 
will  say  I  have  not  merited  it. 

Does  any  body  know  in  America  what  has  caused 
the  removal  of  my  respected,  loved,  honored  friend 
Mr.  Pickering  ?  It  is  impossible,  if  any  thing  is  im- 
possible, that  he  should  be  capable  of  malfeasance 
of  office.  Pray  let  me  know  vviiat  common  fame 
says  on  the  subject.  I  lament  his  disgrace  ;  for  I 
cannot,  without  strong  reasons,  believe  he  has  merit- 
ed it.  If  that  man  be  not  faithful  and  just,  I  v/ill  no 
more  hope  to  find  an  honest  man  among  the  race  of 
beings  on  whom  God  is  said  to  have  stamped  his 
own  image. 

To  Mr.  Pickering. 

Tunis,  JSTovemher  4^th,  1800. 
MY  conjecture  has  been  on  the  rack 
and  turned  bankrupt  on  the  subject  of  your  removal. 
A  suspicion  of  delinquency  cannot  have  a  moment's 
existence  :  for,  if  this  were  true,  the  chief  Magis- 
trate would  not  lose  a  moment  in  justifying  himself 
to  the  public  by  exposing  facts.  It  is  not  impossible 
that  such  a  sacrifice  may  have  been  thought  necessa- 
ry to  the  security  of  an  impending  election.  Gen. 
Marshal,  it  is  presumed,  has  more  influence  to  the 
southward  than  his  predecessor.  And  who  can  say 
that  this  ehction  may  not  be  necessary  to  the  safety 
of  the  state  ?  And  if  so  "  it  is  expedient  that  one  man 
should  die  for  the  people  ;  and  that  the  whole  nation 
perish  not  V^  But  however  necessary  such  an  election 


18(3  LIFE    OF 

may  be  to  the  safety  of  the  states  I  am  apprehensive 
the  measure,  resorted  to  in  order  to  secure  it,  will  de- 
feat its  own  object.  Aristides  will  be  Aristides 
still ;  and  the  very  faction  who  w^ere  tired  of  hearing 
him  called  the  just  will  honor  in  exile  whom  they 
dreaded  in  office;  and  detest  the  hand  that  has 
wronged  him  ;  for  however  fond  men  are  of  pushing 
their  resentments  and  carrying  their  measures  by  all 
means,  they  cannot  but  hate  the  instrument  of  injus- 
tice which  favors  them.  The  chief  magistrate,  how- 
ever upright  may  have  been  his  motives,  will  add 
nothing  to  his  interest  from  opposition  ;  while  he 
hazards  to  alienate  his  supporters  by  an  act  which 
admits  a  suspicion  of  sinister  rather  than  patriotic 
views. 

To  Mrs.  Eaton. 

Tunis f  JSTovember  &thf  1800. 
MY  last  letter  was  dated  15th  August. 
In  that  I  mentioned  that  I  had  redeemed  six  Danish 
prize  vessels.  But  I  have  restored  them  again  to 
their  original  proprietors.  Ask  you  why  ?  Because 
there  is  more  pleasure  in  being  generous  than  rich. 
I  could  undoubtedly  have  saved  eight  or  ten  thous- 
and dollars  by  the  speculation.  But,  ^^  man  wants 
hut  little,  nor  that  little  long.''  I  have  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  eighty  six  unhappy  captives  embark  in 
these  vessels  and  shape  their  course  for  their  native 
countrv- 

After  I  had  resigned  the  Danish  affairs  into  the 
hands  of  their  proper  Agent,  I  received  from  the  Ad- 
miral, charged  with  a  commission  to  arrange  exist- 
ing difficulties,  the  following  letter,  viz. 

^^  On  hoard  the  Factor  in  the  Road  of  Tunis. 

September  27th,  1800. 
Sir, 

I  should  neglect  my  duty  if,  before  leav- 
ing this  Road,  I  should  refuse  myself  the  honor  and 


GEN.    EATON.  181 

die  pVeasupe  to  repeat  to  you  how  grateful  I  am  for 
the  services  you  have  had  the  goodness   to  render 
my  king  and  country,  both  at  the  time  of  our  misin- 
telligence  with  Tunis  and  at  the   instant  of  negotia- 
ting a  truce  ;  in  the  first  ease  by  regarding  with  sin- 
gular  care  his  subjects  in   chains  here  ;  in  the  sec- 
ond by  aiding  with  your  light  the  measures  necessary 
to  produce  the  desired   accommodation.      I  am  here 
but  the  organ  of  my  sovereign,  to  whom  I   have  al- 
ready, by  my  first  reports,   communicated  what  you 
have  done  for  us.     The  multitude  of  objecis  to  him 
then  submitted  did  not  allow  me  to  extend  this  sub- 
ject to  the  extent  of  my  wishes  ;  but   certainly  I 
shall  not  fail  by  the  first  occasion  to  finish  the  agree- 
able part  I  have  begun.     And  I  flatter  myself,  Sir, 
on  my  return  here   to  be  specially   charged  by  his 
Majesty  to  give  you  assurances  of  his  sense  of  obli- 
gation.    Have  the  goodness  in  the  mean  time.  Sir, 
to  accept  the  particular  assurance   of  my  personal 
gratitude,  as  well   for  the  ityfluence  you   have  been 
pleased  to  use  during  the  course  of  the  negociation 
of  which  a  happy  issue  is  the  effect,  as    also   for  the 
great  politeness  you  have  shown  myself  and  gentle- 
men under  my  orders  attached  to  the   service   of  his 
Danish  Majesty. 

With  perfect  esteem  and  consideration <, 

I  have  the  honor  to  he, 
Sir,  yaur  most  humble 

and  very  obliged  servant. 
fSignedJ     KOEFAED. 
To  Mr.  William  Eaton, 
Consul  of  the  United  States  of  Jlmericaat  Tunis.^^ 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Cathcart 
to  Mr.  Eaton,  unfolds  a  curious  trait  of  Mahome- 
tan intolerance  and  superstition. 

Tripoli,  Feb.  i7th,  ISOO. 
Capt.  Marco   being   detained  here  by 
contrary  winds,  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  informing 


183  UFE    OF 

you  of  the  following  facts,  by  which  you  will  be  en* 
abled  in  some  measure  to  form  an  opinion  of  our 
Monarch's  character.  We  not  having  had  any  rain 
since  the  20th  of  last  April,  except  a  very  small 
shower  on  the  8th  of  December,  the  Bon.  the  12th 
inst.  gave  the  following  ridiculous  order  :  that  all 
the  youth  of  the  city,  should  assemble,  and  each  take 
a  stone,  and  repair  to  the  Cadi's  seat,  where  he  ad- 
ministers justice  to  the  populace  ;  and  then  and 
there  heave  a  stone  at  him,  as  a  mark  of  the  just  de- 
testation the  Bashaw  has  for  all  acts  of  injustice  : 
and  although  he  could  not  prove  any  thing  against 
said  civil  magistiate,  he  was  led  to  believe  that  he 
must  have  committed  several  acts  of  the  most  flagrant 
iajdstice,  as  nothing  less  could  have  incensed  the 
great  and  only  Allah  to  that  degree  as  to  cause  him 
to  withhold  his  bounty  from  this  great,  populous  and 
antient  Pachaiic,  the  abode  of  tlie  faithful  and  ter- 
ror of  its  enemies.  He  farther  ordered  that,  if  the 
Cadi  was  not  present,  they  should  cast  the  stones  at 
his  seat ;  which  would  be  sufficient,  as  the  prophet 
would  intercede  for  them  in  virtue  of  their  just  in- 
tention, without  insisting  on  the  rigor  of  the  act. 
The  boys,  through  ignorance  of  the  order,  or  malice, 
I  know  not  which,  proceeded  to  his  worship's  seat  ; 
and,  not  finding  him  there,  demolished  it,  and  filled 
it  with  stones  :  and  then  went  in  a  body  to  his  dwell- 
ing house.  The  servants  being  apprized  of  their 
coming,  barricaded  the  doors,  so  that  they  could 
not  get  in.  They  however  filled  the  door  with 
stones,  until  it  was  rendered  unserviceable,  and  then 
retired  with  exultation.  This  happened  on  a  very 
cloudy  day,  wind  about  S.  S.  E.  which  is  a  land 
wind,  and  extremely  warm,  the  air  impregnated  with 
small  sand  from  the  desert  :  the  whole  indicating  a 
thunder  storm  and  rain.  The  prophet,  however, 
this  time  was  inexorable.  The  wind  came  round  to 
the  N.  W.  and  fine  clear  weather  ensued.  On  the 
IStii,  wind  to  the  southward  as  before,  the  sun  obscur- 
ed with  clouds  and  sand  indicated  rain.     The  Bash- 


GEN<    EATON.  183 

aw,  m  order  to  ensure  success  beyond  all  probability 
of  doubt,  ordered  the  boys  to  destroy  the  apparatus 
of  the  synagogue.  This  was  a  feast  for  them. 
They  went  in  a  body  around  with  stones.  The 
lamp  with  seven  branches  was  destroyed  :  the  holy 
oil  was  spilt :  the  tabernacle  was  polluted  :  the  holy 
writings  were  thrown  down  and  torn  :  the  vail  of  the 
temple  was  rent  in  twain  ;  and  they  played  the  very 
devil  in  the  sanctum  sanctorum. 

When  the  populace  in  any  country  finds  them- 
selves vested  with  power,  they  generally  are  either 
ignorant  of  the  extent  delegated  to  them,  or  malicious- 
ly surpass  its  bounds.  The  boys,  not  content  with 
their  atchievment  at  the  synagogue,  went  into  sever- 
al of  the  Jews  houses,  and  broke  their  moveables, 
and  hove  stones  at  the  poor  creatures,  who  had  no 
other  alternative  but  a  precipitate  flight.  The  mar- 
aboots  paraded  the  streets,  and  marine,  and  threw 
stones  at  the  Jews  and  Christians,  in  sign  of  their  de- 
testation and  enmity  for  all  orders  of  men  but  those 
that  profess  the  true  Mussulman  faith.  An  impe- 
rial Captain  was  wounded  on  the  eye  brow  by  one 
of  those  holy  missile  w  capons,  which  was  the  only 
Christian  that  was  corporally  hurt  by  this  ceremony  : 
but  our  feelings  must  have  been  callous  not  "to  have 
sensibly  felt  the  horrors  of  our  humiliating  situation. 
Does  not  humanity  recoil,  my  dear  sir,  at  the  indig- 
nity these  poor  Jews  continually  suffer,  and  yet  they 
content  tiiemselves  at  the  very  instant  of  receiving 
them,  by  planning  clandestine  schemes  of  retalia- 
tion ;  and  are,  or  seem,  perfectly  happy,  when  they 
have,  (by  the  practice  of  the  most  consummate  decep- 
tion, which  they  study  from  their  infancy)  over 
reached  or  taken  advantage  of  an  enemy  of  their  re- 
ligion, be  the  acquisition  ever  so  trifling,  they  retire 
to  their  dwellings  w^th  their  ill  acquired  gains,  and  '' 
exult  in  an  atchievment,  the  perpetration  of  which 
with  us  would  be  branded  with^infamy. 

The  prophet,  w^ho  had  been  in  the  dumps  during 
the  whole  time  of  the  Ramadan,  and  had  not  paid 


184  LIFE   OF 

the  least  regard  to  the  fasting  and  prostration  of  the 
true  believers,  was  now  so  pleased  with  the  persecu- 
tions of  his  fellow  men,  that  he  interceded  so  eft'ectu- 
ally  with  the  immortal  Allah  !  that  the  windows  of 
heaven  were  opened  on  the  14th  inst.  and  the  rain 
descended  in  torrents,  accompanied  with  thunder 
and  lightning,  which  lasted  until  the  night  of  the 
l6l;h,  when  the  wind  coming  to  the  N.  W.  it  cleared, 
and  we  have  now  fine  weather.  The  Jews  are  of  o- 
pinion  that  their  holy  things  will  share  a  similar  fate 
every  dry  season,  and  that  this  will  be  quoted  as  a 
precedent. 


GEN.    EATON.  185 

EXTILICTS, 

To  Gen.  Marshall,  Secretary  of  State, 

_  Tunis,  September  grf,  1800. 
AT  the  sacrifice  of  eight  vessels  and 
cargoes,  aud  61,440  Spanish  dollars  for  the  redemp- 
tion of  eighty  six  captives,  the  Danes  have  obtained 
a  trace  with  the  Regency  of  Tunis  for  four  months. 
A  history  of  this  two  month's  bloodless  war  would 
exhibit  a  picture  worthy  of — Danes  ! 

France  on  the  other  hand  Avithout  a  sacrifice  has 
obtained  a  truce  during  the  war  with  Europe,  and  a 
release  of  all  her  citizens  without  redemption. 

It  is  a  maxim  of  the  Barbary  States,  that  ^^  The 
Christians  who  would  be  on  good  terms  with  tJienii 
must  jight  well  or  pay  ivelV^  France  and  Denmark 
bear  testimony  to  this  maxim. 

The  six  Danish  vessels,  mentioned  in  a  former 
communication,  which  I  purchased  of  this  Regency 
for  the  owners,  I  have  restored  to  their  respective 
masters  on  condition  of  the  Commodore  redeeming 
my  credit  and  reimbursing  actual  disbursements. 

To  the  Secretary  of  State. 

Tunis,  JVovember  ist,  1800. 
I  WAS  at  the  palace  this  morning  and 
Jresterday.  Says  the  Bey  ;  "  What  am  I  to  de- 
duce from  all  your  assurances  of  punctuality  on  tlie 
part  of  your  government?''  I  answered  :  your  Ex- 
cellencv  will  have  the  sroodness  to  believe  that  when 
information  of  our  definitive  arrangements  was  re- 
ceived in  the  United  States,  the  stores,  Avhich  we 
liave  stipulated  as  the  condition  of  peace  with  you, 
were  growing  on  our  mountains,  at  the  sources  of 
our  rivers.  "  Am  I  to  suppose  then,"  said  he  ! 
"  your  guns  and  your  powder,  comprised  in  that 
stipulation,  were  growing  on  your  mountains  ?  Yow 

34 


186  LIFE    OF      , 

lad  no  difficulty  in  discharging  your  obligations 
with  Algiers.  Do  you  suppose  me  less  able  than; 
Algiers  to  compel  the  punctual  observance  of  trea- 
ties ?"  By  no  means,  said  I  ;  if  we  have  been  more 
attentive  to  Algiers  than  to  yon,  it  is  not  because  we 
consider  you  less  respectable,  but  more  just  than 
Algiers.  '^  We  must  make  an  end  of  compliment  ;" 
said  he.  "  It  wonld  give  me  pain  to  affront  you  ; 
but  facts  justify  the  conclusion,  that  if  you  suppose 
me  just,  you  study  to  amuse  my  justice.  Denmark 
may  furnish  you  a  caution  against  such  a  reliance." 
I  suppose,  said  I,  your  Excellency  can  have  no  doubt 
that  the  residue  of  our  peace  presents  have  long 
since  been  at  sea  :  but  the  winds  have  been  many 
days  against  us.  "  They  have  been  against  us  three 
years  ;"  said  he.  Your  Excellency  will  recollect 
they  were  very  favorable  last  spring.  '^  Not  so  fa- 
vorable as  I  had  been  flattered  to  believe  they  would 
have  been  ;"  said  he.  What  can  be  done  ?  I  asked, 
shall  we  make  war  upon  tlie  elements  ?  '•  You  can 
chuse  your  measures  :  and  you  need  not  be  surprised 
if  I  reserve  to  myself  the  same  privilege  ;*'  he  au- 
sAvered.  Permit  me,  said  I,  to  demand  an  explana- 
tion of  this  entendre.  '»  Events  will  explain  it  ;" 
said  he.  I  observed  :  if  this  manner  of  evasion  cov- 
er a  menace  I  ought  to  know  it  for  my  government 
in  giving  passports  to  your  cruisers.  '•  In  this,''^ 
«aid  he,  "  you  Avill  use  your  own  discretion.  If 
you  give  them  it  is  an  evidence  tliat  you  are  at 
peace  with  me.  If  you  refuse  them,  1  have  nothing 
serious  to  apprehend  from  it."  Cutting  reply  !  to 
which  I  made  no  rejoindre.  I  could  draw  nothing 
direct  from  liim.  I  do  not  know  whether  to  sound 
an  alarm  or  still  to  say,  all  is  ivell.  But  I  venture 
to  repeat,  if  something  do  not  appear  soon  to  my  re- 
lief, I  shall  shortly  be  compelled,  instead  of  ordinary 
communications,  to  make  my  monthly  reports  of  «2- 
merican  Slaves.  And  if  government  will  take  the 
trouble  to  review  my  letters  they  cannot  but  be  sensi- 
ble that  this  event  has  less  resulted  from  any  delin- 


GEN.    EATON.  187 

queiicy   of  my  communications  than   from  want  of 
suitable  respect  to  them.    I  pray  Heaven  for  the  spee- 
dy arrival  of  the  Ship   expected  from  New   York. 
Mean  time  I  am  at  loss  for  projects  to  amuse  the  Re- 
gency.    Sidi  Joseph,    Sapitapi,   now  prime,  as  he 
has  long  been  principal,  minister  (Sidi  Mustapha 
Coggea  the  old  minister  having  died  the   10th  ulti- 
mo, aged  83)  has  a  large  Danish  prise  ship   spoiling 
at  Porto  Farina,  which  he  has  been  a  long  time  by 
his  commercial  agent,  teasing  me  to  buy.     I  am  re- 
solved to  enter  on  a  negociation  to  this  effect.     And 
if  I  can  obtain  a  credit  three  or  four   months   for  the 
amount  of  its  value,  which  cannot  exceed  four  or  five 
thousand  dollars,  it   may  divert  his  attention  from 
greater  objects.     And  if  I  should  make  a  sacrifice  in 
the  speculation  it  is  presumed  the  important  object  it 
aims  to  secure  will  induce   the  government   of  the 
United  States  to  indemnify  me. 

To  THE  Secretary  of  Statsi. 

Tunis,  December  Sth,  1800. 
ON  the  35th  ult.   it  was  intimated  to  mt 
that  there  was  an  American  ship  in  the  road  of  Porto 
Farina.     Instantly  I  sent  off  an   express  to   enquire 
for  facts.     On  the  37th,  received  a  note   from  Cap- 
tain CoflRn  of  the  Anna  Maria,  informing  me  that  he 
had  been  ten  days  in  the  road  without   being  able  to 
communicate  with  the  shore,  by  reason  of  the  weath- 
er, wbiCii  was  extremely  bad.  On  the  28th,  I  asked  a 
boat  of  the  Bey  to  board  her,  which  he  said  should  be 
ready  on  the  30th,  accordingly  on  the  30th,  I  embark- 
ed at  Tunis  in  an  open  boat,  and  arrived  on  board,  ten 
leagues,  at  eight  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day.    On 
the  morning  following,  1st  December,  had  the  honor 
of  receiving  your  letter  of  30th   August,  covering  an 
invoice  and  bill  of  the  ship's    lading.     Yesterday  I 
returned  to  Tunis.  Such  part  of  the  cargo  as  was  be- 
tween decks  was  chiefly  discharged  before  I  left  the 
«hip.     The  quality  of  the  articles  are  aeknowledge^J 


188  '  LIFE   OT- 

to  be  good  ;  but  it  is  objected  that  the  plank  and  the 
oars  are  too  short ;  and  the  government  affects  to  be 
dissatisfied  tliat  the  keels,  guns,  and  powder  are  not 
come  forward.  I  believe  the  facts  to  be,  the  governs 
meut  are  dissatisfied  tiiat  any  tiling  has  come  for- 
ward. If  this  opinion  require  evidence,  I  consider  it 
sufficient  to  state  that  the  United  States  are  the  only 
nation  which  have,  at  this  moment,  a  rich  unguarded 
commerce  in  the  Mediterranean  ;  and  that  the  Barba- 
ry  Regencies  are  pirates. 

I  take  to  myself  the  merit  of  having  once  more  at 
least  suspended  an  expedition  which  was  prepared 
for  us.  But  we  are  yet  deficient  ;  and  I  am  not 
without  apprehension  tliat  this  deficiency  will  be  re- 
sorted to  as  a  pretext  for  surprising  our  merchantmen. 
In  which  case  they  might  do  us  incalculable  mis- 
chief. These  are  considerations  which,  it  is  sup- 
posed, should  compel  exertions  to  fulfil  our  obliga- 
tions with  this  Regency,  I  have  very  little  prospect 
of  reducing  the  Bey's  claim  for  the  jewels,  although 
he  is  not  yet  informed  that  I  have  commissioned  for 
them.  The  immense  concessions  he  has  received 
the  summer  past  from  Spain,  Denmark,  Sicily  and 
Sweden,  liave  so  diminished  the  condition  of  our 
peace  in  his  eye  that  he  says  it  is  a  trifiefor  so  great 
a  commercial  nation  in  consideration  for  the  advan- 
tages of  a  free  trade  in  this  sea.  This  government 
affect  great  personal  respect  and  even  friendship 
forme  ;  it  is  the  assassin's  decoy.  In  return  how- 
ever, I  make  their  civilities  reciprocal.  Byit,  again 
I  repeat,  unless  our  government  change  their  mode 
of  intercourse  with  tliese  Regencies,  especially  with 
this,  so  far  as  to  be  punctual,  I  have  no  means  of 
maintaining  the  peace  ;  and  it  would  be  criminal  in 
me  to  amuse  the  government  with  such  a  confidence. 
The  Anna  ]Maria  will  probably  be  discharged  within 
lipr  lav  davs. 


gen.  eatok.  189 

(FBriek  to  Eaton. 

Algiers,  October  iQth,  1800. 
Sir, 

I  WROTE  ydUy  and  forwarded  your  let- 
ters, announcing  the  arrival  of  the  Washington  the 
17th  September.  On  the  9th  instant  said  sliip  was 
ready  for  sea,  and  would  sail  on  the  10th,  for  the 
United  States  ;  hut  the  Dey,  in  a  great  fury,  de- 
clared to  me,  that  if  said  ship  did  not  proceed  with 
his  ambassador  and  vegalia  for  Constantinople,  lie 
no  longer  held  to  his  friendship  witli  the  United 
States.  We  had  no  alternative  but  to  acquiesce,  or 
war  would  be  the  result,  and,  I  am  convinced,  de- 
tention of  the  ship  and  crew,  besides  every  otiier  loss 
from  a  sudden  surprise.  It  is  a  forced  business. 
The  ship  is  under  sail  and  is  to  return,  God  knows 
when  ;  but,  sir,  if  any  accident  happens,  depend,  on 
the  first  news,  said  Potent  Dey  will  send  out  his 
corsaires  and  take  all  Americans  iu  order  to  repay 
himself.  The  ship  is  the  peace  of  the  United  States 
with  Algiers.^    I  have  liad  a  severe  squall. 

On  the  14th  instant  arrived  the  ship  Brutus,  Cap- 
tain Brown.  The  Dey  will  insist  that  said  ship 
will  proceed  to  Rhodes  to  bring  him  a  cargo  of 
Turks.  Observe  said  ship  has  1056  cases  oil  and 
soap  on  board.  The  Dey  told  rac  if  said  ship  did 
not  go  he  would  oblige  her  per  force.  'No  pay. — No 
consideration  for  the  cargo.  Nothing  to  be  consid- 
ered but  the  Dey's  own  despotic  will. 

Crew  of  the  Washington, 

Ambassador  and    Suit,     100,      ^  331. 


I,  131,       ) 

100,      C 

ren,  100,   y 


Negro  women  and  childr 

4  horses;  150  sheep;  25  horned  cattle  ;  4 
lyons  ;  4-tygers:  4  autilopes  ;  12  parrots;  funds 
and  regalia  amount  to  nearly  one  million  of  dollars. 
&c.  &c.     We  want  six  frigates  in   this  sea  to  wait 

*  I  do  not  believe  it.     Note  by  Eaton. 


IDO  LIFE    OF 

the   event  of  the   Washington  making  the  voyage 
safe  or  not. 

Notes  of  Eaton. 

Genius  of  my  country  !  How  art  thou  prostrate  ! 
Hast  thou  not  yet  one  son  whose  soul  revolts  ; 
whose  nerves  convulse,  bloodvessels  burst,  and  heart 
indignant  swells,  at  thought  of  such  debasement  ; 

Shade  of  Washington !  Behold  thy  orphaned 
sword  hung  on  a  slave,  a  voluntary  slave,  and  serve 
a  pirate  !  I  never  thought  to  find  a  corner  of  this 
slanderous  world  where  baseness  and  American 
were  wedded.  But  here  we  are  the  byeword  of  de- 
rision ;  quoted  as  precedents  of  baseness,  even  by 
Danes  ! 

Shall  Tunis  also  lift  his  thievish  arm,  smite  our 
scarred  cheek,  then  bid  us  kiss  the  rod  !  This  is  the 
price  of  peace  f  But  if  we  will  have  peace  at  such  a 
price,  recal  me,  and  send  a  slave,  accustomed  to  a- 
basement,  to  represent  the  nation.  And  furnisli 
ships  ofitmr,  sind  funds ,  and  slaves  to  his  supporl, 
and  our  immortal  shame.  History  shall  tell  that  the 
United  States  first  volunteered  a  ship  of  war ^  equipt, 
a  carrier  for  a  pirate.  It  is  written.  Nothing  but 
blood  can  blot  the  impression  out.  I  frankly  own,  I 
would  have  lost  the  peace,  and  been  myself  empaled 
rather  than  yielded  this  concession.  Will  nothing 
rouse  my  country  ? 

To  Mr.  Smith. 

Tunis,  March  Qth,  1801. 
THE  present  position  I  hold  with  Tunis 
seems  to  promise  tranquility,  at  least  until  the  issue 
of  my  adventure  in  the  Anna  Maria  be  known  :  but 
perhaps  this  prospect  should  not  induce  a  relaxation 
in  the  measures  of  government  relative  to  fulfilling 
our  treaty  stipulations.  No  longer  ago  than  yester- 
day, the  Bey's  Prime  Minister  asked  me  when  I  ex- 
pected the  Jewels   the  Bey  had  demanded  P  I   told 


GEN.    EATON.  "        jf^JQi 

liim,  neveVf  according  to  the  list  he  had  ordered  :  but, 
that  our  Minister  in  England  had  received  the  Pres- 
ident's instructions  to  procure  a  present  in  London, 
as  a  testimony  of  the  respectful  and  friendly  senti- 
ments he  entertained  for  the  talents  and  character  of 
the  Bashaw  of  Tunis,  which  would  probably  be  out 
next  summer  ;  but  I  had  no  authority  to  say  it  would 
correspond  with  the  note  forwarded  ;  on  the  contra- 
ry was  pretty  certain  it  would  be  something  short  of 
it.  The  Minister  replied  with  some  agitation  ;  "  If 
the  President  does  not  send  the  whole,  the  Bey  will 
receive  none.^'  Tell  the  President  so,  said  1,  and 
he  will  send  none.  He  is  a  plain,  upright  man,  who 
loves  his  friends,  and  is  obliging  ;  but  very  much  in 
the  habit  of  doing  as  he  pleases  :  and  if  you  affront 
Mm  you  will  find  him  as  hard  headed  as  an  En- 
glishman.* Here  tlie  subject  ended  :  but  I  could 
not  discern  that  the  Minister  felt  himself  affronted  at 
this  frankness.     *      *     *       *        ^       *       « 

To  THE  Secretary  of  State. 

Tunis,  ^jpril  iOth,  1801. 
Sir, 

THE  dispatches  herewith  inclosed /row 
the  Consul  of  the  United  States  at  Tripoli  se^m.  to 
me  of  so  much  consequence  to  the  safety  and  interest 
of  our  maritime  and  commercial  citizens,  and,  in  the 
event,  to  the  revenue  of  the  government^  that  I  not 
only  feel  myself  justifiable,  but  constrained  by  duty, 
to  use  extraordinary  means  to  communicate  them  to 
the  department  of  state  ;  I  have  therefore  chartered 
a  Ragusa  brig,  to  proceed  directly  with  them  to  the 
United  States,  on  conditions  expressed  in  a  translat- 
ed copy  of  the  charter  party  herewith  inclosed.  I 
prefer  this  flag  as  least  liable  to  be  turned  out  of  its 
course,  and  I  dispatch  the  vessel  in  ballast  to  pre- 
vent all  possible  annoyance.  The  expense  of  this 
expedient  bears  so  small  a  proportion  to  tlie  interests 
it  aims  to  secure,  that  I  cannot  doubt  it  will   receive 

•  A  proverbial  saying  among  the  Turks. ' 


it<^  LITE   OF 

the   President's  approbation.     It  is  now  more  than 
nine  mouths  since  the  alarm  passed  through  this  of 
fice  from  Mr.  Cathcaf  t ;  it  would  seem  some  fatality 
had  intercepted  it  in  its  passage  to  America  :  possi- 
bly Mr.  O'Brien's  construction  of  the   cause  of  the 
Bashaw's  demand  may  have  betrayed  government  in- 
to a  security.     Facts    are  now   indubitable.     The 
Bashaw's  corsairs  are  actually  out  and  fitting  out  a- 
gainst  Americans  ;  and  the  agent  of  our  government 
at  Tripoli  is  taking  measures  for  the  safety  of  him- 
self and  family.     1  have  advised  him  not  to  give  his 
passports  to  the  corsairs  except  the  Bashaw  will  ex- 
plicitly declare  they  are  not  destined  against  Ameri- 
cans ;  andj  in  case  of  refusal  of  such  explicit  decla- 
ration,  to  make  haste  to   get  himself  and  family  to 
Tunis.     1  advance  this  counsel  because  it  is  become 
a  stratagem   in  tliese  Bashaws  to  decoy   their  game 
with  Consular  passports  ;  and   because,  in  case    of 
war,  Mr.  Ca.thcart's  remaining  in  the  hands  of  Tripo- 
li would  tend  rather  to  embarrjrss  than  to  assist  any 
measures  government  should  take  to  reestablish  the 
peace.     The   Bashaw    demands,    as  a  condition  of 
sparing  the  United  States,  two  hiindred  and  tiventy 
Jive  thousand  Spanisli  dollars,  prompt  payment,  and 
twenty  five  thousand  aiinually.     Terms  to  which  the 
Swedes  have  agreed,  and   which  will  be  demanded 
of  the  Danes.     But   if  our  government  yield  these 
terms  to  the  Basliaw  of  Tripoli  it  will  be   absolutely 
necessary  to   make  provisions  for  a  requisition   of 
double   the  amount  for  tlie  Bev   of  Tunis.     Algiers 
also  will  be  to   be  respected  according  to  rank.     If 
the  United  States  will  have  a  free  commerce   in  this 
sea  they  must  defend  it.     Tliere   is  no  alternative. 
The  restless  spirit  of  these  marauders  cannot  be  re- 
strained. 

T remain  with  great  esteem  n 

Sir,  your  most  ohedieiit  servant, 
and  cordial  friend, 
WILLIAM  EATON. 


GEN*    EATON.  i^U 

War  was  declared  by  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  against 
the  United  States^  May  iithf  1801.  The  follow- 
ing  Protest  of  Mr.  Cathcart,  and  extracts  of  let- 
ters,  will  unfold  the  causes  of  this  war. 

To  ALL  \VHOM  IT  DOTH  OR  MAY  CONCERN. 

KNOW  ye^  by  these  presents,  that  I, 
James  Leander  Gathcart,  Agent  and  Consul  of  the 
United  States  of  Amei'iea  in  and  for  the  City  and 
Regency  of  Tripoli  in  Barbary,  finding  just  cause 
to  complain  of  the  conduct  of  Jusef  Bashaw,  Su- 
preme Commandant  of  the  said  City  and  Regency 
of  Tripoli,  and  his  Ministers,  towards  the  govern- 
ment and  citizens  of  the  said  United  States  of  A- 
merica,  and  conceiving  it  my  duty  to  protest  against 
said  conduct :  Now  know  ye,  that  I  do  hereby  protest 
against  said  Jusef  Bashaw,  Supreme  Commandant  of 
said  City  and  Regency,  and  against  his  Ministers 
and  Counsellors,  in  behalf  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  myself  and  fellow  citi- 
zens, for  the  following  reasons. — to  wit. 

First.  Be  it  known  that  on  the  17th  ofAngust 
1799,  said  Jusef  Bashaw,  Supreme  Commandant  of 
the  Regency  of  Tripoli,  at  the  instigation  of  Morad 
Raiz,  Admiral  of  the  Cruisers  of  this  Regency,  re- 
fused to  receive  the  printed  passports  issued  by  the 
Consul  of  the  United  States  of  America  in  this  Re- 
gency, in  obedience  to  his  orders  from  government, 
thereby  claiming  a  superiority,  a  preference  to  the 
Regencies  of  ^llgiers  and  Tunis,  he  lieing  duly  in- 
formed that  the  said  passports  were  accepted  in  the 
same  form  by  the  chiefs  of  the  said  Regencies,  and  in 
order,  as  in  ray  firm  belief,  to  have  a  pretext  to  send 
the  merchant  vessels  belonging  to  the  citizens  of  the 
United  States  into  this  port  for  examination,  said 
Admiral  Morad  iiaving  publicly  declared  that  he 
Would  go  to  sea  with  the  vessels  under  his  command 
without  any  passport  from  tliis  office,  if  they  were  wot 

g;1 


l'9i  LIFE  oy 

modified  to  liis  liking  and  worded  similar  to  the 
passports  of  the  British.  And  the  said  Jusef  Bash- 
aw^ on  application  being  made  by  the  Consul  of  the 
United  States,  refusiHs:  to  exert  his  authority,  is  a 
clear  and  sufficient  evidence  that  he  was  accessory 
to  the  insolent  demand  of  said  Morad,  or,  more  prop- 
erly speaking,  that  said  Morad  acted,  if  not  by  hi? 
X)rders,  at  least  with  his  consent,  thereby  forcing^ 
the  said  Consul  of  the  United  States  to  deviate  from 
his  instructions,  and  to  submit  from  imperious  neces- 
sity to  a  humiliation  incompatible  with  the  honor  and 
dignity  of  the  nation  he  has  the  honor  to  represent. 

Second.  Be  it  known  that  in  the  month  of  Octo- 
ber 1799,  said  James  Leander  Cathcart,  Consul 
for  the  United  States  in  this  Regency,  having  receiv- 
ed several  bales  of  cloth  to  dispose  of,  said  Ju- 
sef Bashaw  sent  the  broker  Leon  Farfara,  to  the 
C'usular  house,  requesting  said  Consul  to  give  him 
the  preference  in  the  sale  of  said  cloth,  promising  to 
pay  for  the  same  like  any  other  individual,  and  as 
cloths  were  sold  of  the  same  quality.  1,  knowing 
liow  he  had  served  the  late  Venilian  and  Swedish 
Consuls  on  a  similar  occasion,  sent  said  Leon  Far- 
fara to  inform  him  that  the  cloth  was  not  mine,  and 
that  I  expected  to  be  paid  immediately,  in  order  ta 
be  enabled  to  make  a  remittance  to  my  correspond- 
ent, which  he  the  said  Bashaw  promised  to  do. 
I  therefore  conMing  in  his  promise,  which  I  was 
taught  to  believe  w  as  sacred  to  all  true  Mussulmen, 
and  more  pai'ticnlarly  to  a  Prince  of  the  august 
family  of  Caramanly,  did  deliver  unto  him  sundry 
pieces  of  cloth,  to  the  value  of  five  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  eighty  seven  yuslicks,  current  coin  of 
this  Regeney,  which  at  the  same  v,  as  worth  Spanish 
dollars,  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  fourteen, 
and  to  cents,  two  yuslicks  and  one  half  being  then 
equal  to  one  Dollar  silver,  but  at  present  the  coin  of 
this  Regency  having  depreciated,  owing  to  the  great 
quantity  of  alloy  mixed  in  the  coinage,  a  dollar  pass- 
es for  three  vji  slicks   which   makes   a   difference  of 


GEX.    EATON.  19^ 

t>ne  fifth  part,  or  twenty  per  cent.  That  I  have  re- 
peatedly demanded  the  above  sum,  and  have  always 
been  put  oif  from  time  to  time  witii  promises,  until 
the  22d  day  of  September  1800,  when  some  oil  be- 
longing to  said  Bashaw  being  selling  at  public  ven- 
due^ I  sent  my  drogomau  to  purchase  a  barrel  for  the 
use  of  my  house,  value  about  eighteen  dollars,  which 
the  Hasnadar  refused  to  give  unto  him  unless  I  sent 
the  money  to  pay  for  it  first.  I  sent  the  drogoman 
immediately  to  the  Bashaw  to  know  the  reason,  who 
repeated  the  same  words,  saying  the  oil  was  not  his, 
but  belonged  to  tlie  ctev/  of  the  Cruisers  ;  that  if  1 
wanted  oil  I  must  first  send  the  cash.  I  immediate- 
ly sent  for  Farfara,  who  had  acted  as  broker  in  the 
sale  of  the  cloth,  and  desired  him  to  demand  a  posi- 
tive answer  from  the  Bashaw,  whether  he  intended 
to  pay  me  or  not,  that  I  was  resolved  to  be  kept  no 
longer  in  suspense,  and  ottered  to  take  the  money  at 
the  present  value,  which  is  only  1939,  dollars  in  full 
of  all  demands  :  the  Bashaw  sent  the  same  answer 
which  lie  had  sent  above  fifty  times  before,  that  he 
would  pay  me,  but  that  at  present  it  was  not  conve- 
nient, and  desired  Leon  Farfara  to  inform  me  that  if 
I  had  a  mind  I  might  take  one  of  the  Swedish  [)ri- 
zes  for  the  money,  which  I  declined,  knowing  that 
he,  having  a  quantity  of  prize  and  other  goods  on 
hand  for  exportation,  would  probably  force  me 
to  take  a  cargo  of  said  goods  to  Leghorn  or  else- 
where, thereby  exposing  the  United  States  to  be- 
come  responsible  for  said  goods  or  their  value,  should 
any  accident  happen  to  said  vessel,  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  the  claim  originated  upon  Sweden  ;  which 
was  the  first  and  principal  cause  of  the  present  war, 
>I  therefore  deemed  it  more  expedient  to  entirely 
lose  the  forementioned  sum,  than  to  run  a  risque 
which  probably  might  involve  my  nation  in  a  war. 
And  as  it  appears  from  the  above  detail  that  said 
Bashaw  never  intends  to  pay  the  above  sum  in  cash 
according  to  agreement,  notwithstanding  I  have  his 
receipt  or  promisory  note  under  the  great  seal  of  this 


196  LIFE    OF 

Regency,  and  I  having  waited  above  cue  year  for 
the  payqienfc  of  the  said  sum  without  effect,   I  there- 
fore debit  the  United  States  the   said  sum  in  my  ac- 
count current,  leaving  the   government  of  the  said 
United  States  to  make   tiie  claim  a   national  claim  ; 
no   individual  being  bound  to  be  responsible  for  the 
arbitrary  acts  of  the  chiefs   of  the   Barbary    States, 
iit  the  same   time  making   myself  responsible  to  the 
United  States  for  said  sum  or  any  part  thereof  which 
may  be  recovered  from  said  Jusef  Bashaw  hereafter. 
Third.     Be  it  known,  that  in  the  months  of  May 
and  October  1800.     the   said  Jusef  Bashaw.     Su- 
preme  Commandant   of  the  said  Regency  of  Trip- 
oli, having  made  certain   demands  upon  the  United 
States  in  direct  violation  of  the   10th    article   of  the 
treaty  existing  between  the  United  States  of  Ameri- 
ca and  the  Regency  of  Tripoli,  which  tlie  Consul  of 
the  United  States  resident  here  found  incompatible 
with  the  honor  and  iuterest   of  the  nation  he   repre- 
sents, to  comply  with,  that  said  Jusef  Bashaw,  in  di- 
rect violation  of  the  IStli   article  of  the  said  existing 
treaty,  did  publicly  declare  that  he  would  only  wait 
until  he  received  answers  from  the   President  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  which  if  not  satisfactory, 
that  he  would  then  declare   war  against  said  United 
States,  as  is  more  fully  explained  in  my  dispatches  to 
governraeni:,  copies  of  which  were  forwarded  to  our 
Consuls  at   Algiers   and  Tunis  :  and    whereas  it  is 
particularly  specified   in  the    lOtli   article    of  said 
treaty  ,that  the  money  and  presents  demanded  by  the 
Bey  or  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  is  a  full  and  satisfactory 
consideration  on  liis  part  and  on  the  part  of  his  sub- 
jects for  said  treaty  of  perpetual  peace  and  friend- 
ship, and  that  no  pretence  of  any  periodical  tribute 
or  further  payment  is  ever  to  be  made  by  either  par- 
ty, and  said  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  having   acknowledg- 
ed the  recipt  of  the  money  and    presents   stipulated 
by  said  treaty,  I  find  myself  justifiable  both  to   God 
and  my  Country,  in  refusing  to  comply  with  the  said 
Bashaw's  unjust  demands  upon  said   United    Statofs 


GEN.    EATON.  197 

of  America.  And  whereas  it  is  stipulated  in  the 
twelfth  article  of  the  aforesaid  treaty,  that  in  case,  of 
any  dispute  arising  from  a  violation  of  any  of  the 
articles  of  said  treaty  no  appeal  to  arras  shall  be 
made,  nor  siiall  war  be  declared,  on  'any  pretence 
whatever  :  but  if  the  Consul,  residing  at  the  place 
where  iha  dispute  sball  happen,  shall  not  be  able  to 
settle  the  same,  an  amicable  reference  shall  be 
made  to  tha  mutiial  friend  of  both  parties,  the  Dey  of 
Algiers  ;  the  parties  thereby  engaging  to  abide  by 
his  decision ;  and  he  l)y  virtue  of  his  signature  to 
the  said  treaty  having  engaged  for  himself  and  his 
successors  to  declare  the  justice  of  the  case  accord- 
ing to  the  true  interpretation  of  the  said  treaty  and  to 
use  all  the  measures  in  his  power  to  inforce  the  ob- 
servance of  the  same. 

Now  know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  I,  James 
Leanujer  Cathcart,  Consul  for  the  United   States 
of  America,  in  said  Regency  of  Tripoli,  do    protest 
and  declare  that  the  demands   made   by  the  Bashaw 
of  Tripoli  upon  the    United   States   of  America  are 
of  such  a  nature  that  I  cannot  settle  the  dispute  aris- 
ing therefrom  ;  and  that  I   conceive    that  I  should 
not  only  be  deviating  from  my  official  duty  but   like- 
wise acting  as    an   accomplice   and  in    conjunction 
with  said  Basliaw  of  Tripoli,  to  treat  our  good  friends 
the  Dey  and  Divan  of  Algiers  with  indignity  and 
disrespect  ,was  I  to  refrain  from  making  the  foresaid 
amicable  reference.     I  therefore,  in  virtue   of  these 
presents,  do  make  the  foresaid   amicable  reference, 
transmitting  the  whole  to  the  Consul  General  of  the 
United  States  of  America  at  Algiers,  who  is  possess 
ed   of  every  information  relative  to  tlie  state   of  our 
affairs  in  this  Regency,  having  received  duplicates  of 
my  dispatches  for  tlic   Government  of  tlie   United 
States,  at  the  same  time  leaving  it  at  the  discretion  of 
tiie  Consul  General  of  the   United  States  at  Algiers 
to  take  such  measures  as    he   in   his  judgment  may 
think  most  likely  to    promote   the  interests   of  the 
United  States  and  to  maintain  the  peace  of  our  Coun 


198  l^IFE    OF 

try  with  this  Regency  upon  honorable  and  equitable 
terms. 

Fourth.     Be  it  known  that  on  the  35th  of  Septem- 
ber  1800,     Raiz     Amor   Shelli,   commander   of  a 
Tripoline  corsair  of  18  guns,  captured  the  American 
brig  Catherine,  James   Carpenter     master,  of  and 
from  New  York,  and  bound  to  Legliorn,  valued  at 
50,000   dollars  or  thereabouts  ;  that  said  vessel  was 
kept  in  possession  of  the  subjects  of  Tripoli  until 
the  15th  of  October  in  the  evening,  and  was  then  de- 
livered up  to  the  Consul  of  the  United  States,  in 
consequence  of  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  having  wrote 
a  letter  t^  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  pur- 
port of  which  being  already  known  needs  no  repeti- 
tion, and  that  said  vessel  was  exposed  to  much  loss 
and  peril,  as  appears  by  the  said  master  of  the  brig, 
his  protest  already  forwarded  to  the  Consul  General 
at  Algiers,  and  that  said  brig  was  plundered  of  effects 
valued  by     said  master,   James    Carpenter,  at  397 
dollars,  whereof  was  recovered  to  the  value  of  180 
dollars,  the  value  217  dollars  being irrecovera.bly  lost, 
notwithstanding  the  Bashaw   had  given  positive  or- 
ders  to   Hamet  Raiz,   Minister  of  the  marine,  to 
cause  every  article  that  could  be  found  to  be  restored 
to  their  lawful  owner  :  yet   said  Raiz   of  the  ma- 
rine did  not  comply  with  the  Bashaw's  orders  (and 
he  being  the  Bashaw's  brother  in  law  it  was  out  of 
my  power  to  compel  him)  but  on  tlie  contrary  preva- 
j-icated  from  day  to  day  from  the  l6th  to  the  31st  of 
October^  with  an  intent  uo  doubt  to  share  the  spoik 
with  the  aforesaid   Raiz  Amor  S belli,    and  on   the 
Slight  of  the  3ist  instant  sent  Abram  Farfara  to  in- 
form me  that  if  tlie  brig  did  not  sail  by  day  light  in 
the  morning,     the  port  would   be  embargoed  ;  and 
gave  me  to  understand  that   if  I  did  not  promise  to 
pay  him   anchorage  for  said   brig   she     would   be 
detained    until    the    embargo    sliould  be  taken  off. 
This  command  I  absolutely  "refused  to  comply  with. 
On  the  23d  at  day  light  I  ordered  the  brig  to  get  un- 
ilev  way,  and  could  not  get  the  pilot  to  go  on  board 


GEN.    EATON.  199 

Tintil  said  Abram  Farfara  paid  the  Raiz  of  the  mar- 
ine five  dollars  and  7^  cents  anchorage^  which  not- 
withstanding it  being  an  unjust  demand  I  complied 
with  sooner  than  have  the  brig  detained  one  day  long- 
er. I  therefore  for  the  aforesaid  reasons,  and  for 
each  of  the  aforementioned  ai'bitrary  acts,  do  protest 
against  the  aforesaid  Jusef  Bashaw,  supreme  com- 
mandant of  the  Regency  of  Tripoli  in  Barbary,  and 
against  his  ministers  and  Counsellors.  But  more  es- 
pecially against  said  Morad  Raiz,  Admiral  of  the 
cruisers  of  this  Regency,  for  being  the  cause  of  my 
altering  the  national  passports  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  against  Hamet  Raiz,  minister 
of  the  njarine,  for  the  reasons  before  mentioned  as 
well  as  for  falsly,  insidiously  and  slanderously  as- 
serting in  ray  presence  and  in  the  presence  of  Capt. 
Carpenter,  that  the  Consul  Greneral  of  the  United 
States,  Richard  O'Brien,  and  the  broker  or  banker 
of  the  United  States  Micaiah  Cohen  Bocri,  had  in- 
formed him,  when  he  was  last  at  Algiers,  that  the 
government  of  the  United  States  had  alone  paid 
to  the  house  of  Boeri  and  Co.  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  for  their  influence  ;  thereby  irritating; 
the  said  Jusef  Bashaw  against  the  government  and 
citizens  of  the  United  States  of  America,  as  the  said 
Jusef  Bashaw  seeming  to  give  credit  to  the  fals- 
hood  of  said  Hamet  Raiz  and  emphatically  said  that 
the  government  of  the  United  States  had  treated 
an  Algerine  Jew  better,  and  with  more  liberality,  than 
they  had  the  said  Bashaw  of  Tripoli.  Nt)twith- 
standing  I  gave  the  direct  lie  without  ceremony  or 
hesitation  to  the  said  Hamet  Raiz,  and  told  the 
Bashaw  that  I  ^\ondered  how  he  could  give  credit  to 
so  barefaced  a  falshood  :  for  even  had  the  United  * 
States  given  the  above  mentioned  sum,  the  party  con- 
cerned would  be  the  last  people  in  the  Avorld  to  di- 
vulge the  same,  it  not  only  comporting  neither  with 
their  honor  nor  interest,  especially  to  Hamet  Raiz^ 
who  was  not  only  an  enemy  to  the  United  States,  but 
likewise  to  his  Excellency  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  he 


SOO  LIFE    OF 

having  by  his  false  insinuations  endeavovwl  to  per- 
suade the  Bashaw  to  annul  the  treaty  of  peace  and 
amity  at  present  siibsistins;  between  the  said  United 
States  and  this  Regency^  to  the  prejudice  of  his  char- 
acter, honor  and  dignity,  whose  word  and  signature  I 
had  always  supposed  inviola])ly  sacred  :  and  that  said 
Jusef  Bashaw,  in  answer  to  the  above,  said,  "You 
say  that  Hamet  Raiz  lies,  and  I  say  he  tells  the  truth,'^ 
thereby  discrediting  all  I  had  said  and  giving  fijll 
credit  to  the  imposition  of  siiid  Hamet  Raiz,  or 
minister  of  the  marine. 

Now  all  men,  know  that  for  tiie  reasons  afore  as- 
signed, I,  James  Leander  Cathcart,  Agent 
and  Consul  for  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the 
Regency  of  Tripoli,  having  shewn  sufficient  cause  to 
enter  this  protest  against  the  said  Jusef  Bashaw,  his 
aforesaid  ministers  and  counsellors  ;  that  I  do  by 
these  presents  most  solemnly  protest  against  the  con- 
duet  of  the  said  Jusef  Bashaw,  his  aforesaid  minis- 
ters and  counsellors  as  being  unjust  and  in  direct  vi- 
olation of  the  10th  and  13th  articles  of  the  existine 
treaty  between  the  United  States  of  America  and 
the  said  Regency  of  Tripoli. 

And  I,  James  Leander  Cathcart  do  further 
declare  tliat  the  dispute  arising  from  the  violation 
of  said  treaty  is  of  such  a  nature  that  I  cannot  adjust 
the  same  before  I  receive  express  instructions  from 
thtt  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  un- 
til our  good-friends  the  I)ey  and  Divan  of  Algiers 
shall  decide  upon  the  justice  of  the  cause  according 
to  the  true  interpretation  of  tlie  existing  treaty  be- 
tween the  United  States  of  America  and  this  Regen- 
cy :  and  that  I  do  hereby  make  an  amicable  refer- 
ence to  our  good  friends  the  Dey  and  Divan  of  the 
Regency  of  Algiers,  promising  in  the  name  of  the 
United  States  of  America  to  abide  by  their  decision, 
agreeably  to  the  true  meaning  of  the  stipulation  con- 
tained in  the  ISth  article  of  the  treaty  of  peace  and 
amity  concluded  between  said  United  States  of  A  - 
merica  and  the  Regency  of  Tripoli,  by  the  interven 


GEN.    EATON.  201 

lion  of  ilie  late  Hassan  Bashaw,  Dey  of  Algiers  and 
under  the  immediate  guarantee  of  said  Regency,  the 
aaid  treaty  having  been  duly  ratified  by  the  reigning 
Dey  of  Algiers,  Mustafa  Bashaw,  whom  God  pre- 
serve. 

Now  I.  James  Leander  Cathcart,  Agent  and 
Consul  of  the  United  States  of  America,  conceiving 
it  my  duty  so  to  do,  do  now  transmit  this  said  pro- 
test to  the  Chancery  of  the  United  States  at  Tunis, 
in  order  that  it  may  be  tliere  duly  registered,  and 
from  tiienee  forwarded  to  the  Consul  General  of  the 
United  States  of  America  at  Algiers,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent, as  much  as  depends  upon  me,  any  appeal  being 
made  to  arms,  leaving  the  conducting  of  the  whole 
affair  entirely  to  the  Consul  General  of  the  United 
States  of  America  for  the  time  being,  as  before  men-^ 
tioned,  not  doubting  but  he  will  take  such  measures 
as  he  in  his  judgment  may  think  most  likely  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  to  maintain  the  peace  of  our  Country  with  this 
Regency  upon  honorable  and  equitable  terms. 

In  testimonij  of  the. above,  I  have  here- 
unto subscribed  my   name,  and  affixed 
the   seal  of  my   office,  at  the  chancery 
^<^v<?>^<^         o//Ae  United  States  of  America,  in  the 
^r*!  ?'i        ^^^y  of  Tripoli,  in  Barbary,  this  29th ^ 
day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
one  thousand  eight  hundred,  and  in  thp^ 
twenty  fifth  year  of  the  independence 
of  the  IJnited  States  of  America, 
r Signed.)     JAMES  LEANDER  CATHCi^^T. 

Extracts   from  Cathcart  to  Eaton. 

Tripoli,  February  flOth,  1801, 

I  HAVE  only  time   by   this  courier  to 

give  you   tlie    following  extract    from  luy  journal^ 

which  you  shall  have  in  fjiU  by  the  next  conveyance- 

Saturday,  ^th  Febuary    arrived  Hadgi  Mahamud 

La   Saed,    ^l^ith  Mr.  O'Brieu's   letter  in  duplicates* 

I  §6 


\^i\^\^^^\^f\ 


202  LIFE   OT 

the  one  enclosed  to  Leon  Farfara  and  the  other  t& 
Siddi  Mohammed  Daguize. 

It  being  Satiird?iy  the  letters  were  not  brought 
to  my  house  until  nine  P.  M.  and  after  Siddi  Mo- 
hammed Daguize  and  Farfara  had  been  at  the  cas- 
tle :  the  letters  were  dated  at  Algiers,  December  the 
31st,  1800. 

Sunday  Sth.  Waited  upon  Siddi  Mohammed 
Daguize  :  requested  him  to  inform  the  Bashaw  that 
I  had  a  present  to  deliver  to  his  Excellency,  and 
would  be  glad  to  know  when  I  was  permitted  to 
wait  upon  him  with  it. 

Siddi  Daguize  answered,  that  the  Bashaw  knew 
there  was  a  present  arrived  from  Algiers,  and  that 
his  Excellency  had  ordered  him  to  inform  me  that 
he  would  neither  receive  me  uor  the  present ;  that 
he  was  determined  to  let  the  whole  world  see  that  he 
respected  not  the  interferance  of  the  Dey  of  Algiers, 
and  that  he  would  declare  war  in  form  against  the 
United  States  of  America  in  forty  days  from  the 
date  of  the  arrival  of  the  presents.  I  made  use  of  eve- 
ry argument  to  dissuade  the  Bashaw  from  putting  his 
menace  into  execution,  knowing  that  Daguize  would 
report  the  whole  conversation  to  tiie  Bashaw.  Da- 
guize answered,  that  he  knew  the  Bashaw  had  no 
reason  to  declare  Avar  against  us,  and  that  he  had 
informed  him  several  times  that,  in  the  present  state 
of  his  affairs,  it  was  not  his  interest  to  displease  the 
Dey  of  Algiers  ;  that  he  advised  the  Bashaw  to  re- 
spect the  request  of  the  Dey,  from  a  conviction  that 
it  was  his  master's  interest  so  to  do,  and  not  with  any 
intention  to  befriend  the  United  States;  but  that  he 
Avas  sorry  to  fmd  tlje  Bashaw  paid  but  very  little  re- 
spect to  his  advice,  being  surrounded  by  a  set  of  mer- 
cenaries, who  had  hardly  comniuu  st;nse,  and  who 
where  continually  persuading  him  to  declare  war  a- 
gainst  the  Uaitcd  States,  and  assuring;  him  that  the 
Dey  of  Algiers  A\'ould  only  be  angry  fol-  a  few  days  : 
that  by  capturing  tiie  ships  and  enslaving  the  citi- 
zens of  tlie  United  States,  the  govcrnnu'-nt  would  bi 


GEN.    EATON.  ^Qg 

obliged  lo  come,  cap  in  hand,  and  sue  for  peace,  ip. 
on  the  same  terms  Sweden  has  :  and  that  Amerca 
was  at  too  great  a  distance  to  send  a  considerblefoiee 
into  this  sea. 

I  combated  these  ideas  but  with  little  success,  anj 
Siddi  Mohammed  Daguize  informed  me  that  I  naglt 
depend  the  Bashaw  would  put  liis  scheme  into  ex( 
cution  ;  was  it  only  to  try  the  experiment ;  that  tU 
only  service  he  could  do  me  was  to  procure  me  an/ 
audience  next  day,  when  I  would  hear  from  the 
Bashaw  himself  his  determination.  li 

On  the  9th  inst.  at  3  P.  M.  I  procured  an -audi 
Ctiice,  which  lasted  for  about  three  hoars,  the  Bash- 
aw broke  silence  in  a  blunt  manner  and  asked  nie 
what  I  wanted.  I  have  come  to  ask  permission 
to  present  your  Excellency  with  some  Regalia,  as  a 
token  of  the  friendly  intention  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  to  know  when  you  will  be  at 
leisure  to  receive  it.  "  Never,  by  God,  never  !"  said 
he.     For  what  reason  ? 

^^  Because  it   was  not  intended  for  me."     It  nev- 
er  can  be   supposed   that   the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli 
has  occasion  for  such  trifles.     Tripoli  is,   uifferejit-^ 
from  what  it  was  some  years  ago.       , 

I  observed  that  probably  his  ETxcelleney  did 
not  know  what  the  Regalia  consisted  of.  ^'•'  Yes  I 
do,"  said  he,  "  better  than  you>do  ;  and  if  it  was  ten 
times  as  valuable  I  would  vM  receive  it.  You  may 
send  it  from  whence  it  cviine. 

I  now  swear  by  G<3»d,  my  religion,  tlie  head  of  my 
Son  Siddi  Aly,  (Avho  was  sitting  by  him,)  and,  by 
ih-is  right  ham',  that  I  will  never  be  at  peace  with 
youv  nation  until  your  President  appoints  a  person 
to  negociate  a  treaty  with  me  without  the  interfer- 
ence of  Algiei'€  or  any  other  nation.  I  now  declare 
your  treaty  no  longer  binding,  and  that  I  will  de- 
ciare  war  against  America  immediately  if  you  do  not 
give  me  assureance  that  your  President  will  alter 
the  said  treaty  to  my  liking,  and  give  me  250,000 
4ollars  as  the  price  pf  the  said  new  treaty  :  and  that' 


•^G^  tlFE    OF 

yoi-i'  nation  will  annuahy  pay  me  the  sum  of  twenty 
th'>{isand^  to  continue  the  said  new  peace  after  it  is 
m^de." 

I  made  use   of  every   argument    in  my   power, 
^^hich  produced  no  effect   whatever.     These   terras 
fte  Bashaw     said  were  the    only  ones   he   had   to 
n-opose,  that  the  alteration  in  the  treaty   he  insisted 
>n  above  every  thing  else^  and  swore  he  would  never 
renter  into  any  negociation  with  an  agent  of  the  Unit- 
lid  States  upon  any  other  terms,   even   was   he  sure 
Ho  lo»e  his  kingdom,  and  with   it  his  head.     With 
tirk  be  drew   his  hand  horizontally  across  his  gul- 
let.   After  three   hours  litigation,   he  said  he  would 
give  us  time^  if  we  would  pay  him   well  for  it,  and 
demanded  100,000  dollars  for  six  months.      At  last, 
the  result  was,  that  he  would  wait  eighteen  months, 
if  I  would  give  him  eighteen  thousand  dollars,   and 
assurance  that  tlie  President  of  the  United   States 
would  comply  with  the  rest   of  his  unjust  demands. 
I  negatived  the  whole,  as  you  may  well  suppose. 

To  THE  SeCRETAEY  OF  StATE. 

Tunis  J  June  28t1i,  1801. 
ON-  the  night  of  the  eighteenth,  a  fire 
broke  out  in  t^e  Be^^s  palace,  which  in  its  progress, 
consumed  fifty  thousiind  stands  of  arms.  The  sec- 
ond day  following  I  re(ieiyed  a  message  to  wait  on 
the  Bey  ;  but  was  at  that  moment  confined  to  my 
bed  v/ith  a  billions  fever,  so  that  it  was  not  till  this 
morning  that  I  have  been  able  to  go  to  the  palace  in 
my  carriage.  The  Bey's  object  in  calling  me  was, 
to  demand  of  the  United  Stages  ten  thousand  sir.nds 
of  arms.  I  refused  to  state  his  demand.  "  I  liave 
Apportioned  my  loss,"  said  he,  "  among  my  friends  : 
and  this  quoia'^falls  to  you  to  furnish  ;  tell  your  gov- 
ernment to  send  them  without  delay."  It  is  impos- 
sible, said  1,  to  state  this  claim  to  my  government. 
We  have  no  magazines  of  small  arras.  The  organ- 
tzation  of  our  national  strength  is  different  from  thai 


GEN.    EATON. 


20t» 


of  every  other  nation  on  earth.     Each  citizen  carries 
his    own  arms,   always    ready  for  battle.     When 
threatened  with  invasion,  or  actually  invaded,  de- 
tachments from  the  whole  national  body  are  sent  by 
rotation  to   serve  in  the  field  :  so  that  we  have  no 
need  of  standing  armies  nor  depositories  of  arms.     It 
would  be  an  affront  to  my  government,   and  an  im- 
position on  the  Bey,  to  state   to  them  this   demand, 
or   to  flatter  him   with  a  prospect   of  receiving   it. 
^'  Send  for  them  from  France  or  England/'  said  the 
Minister.     You,  said  I,  are  in  a  much  more  -ligibl' 
position  to  make  this  commission  from  Eii-„^^/>'-.ii 
we  are.     "  If  the  Bey  had  any  intentions  of  V'i^r- 
chasing  the  arms  from  Europe,"  said  the   Minister, 
••  he  could  do  it  without  your  agency.     He  did  not 
send  for  you  to  ask  your  advice,  but  to  order  you  to 
communicate    his    demands   to  your   government.'- 
But  I  come  here,  said   I,  to  assure   you  that  I  will 
make  no   such  communication  to  my   government. 
'^  The  Bey  will  write   himself,"   said  he.     If  so,  it 
will  become  my  duty  to  forward  his  letter  :  but,  at 
the  same  time,  it  is  equally  obligatory  on  me.  tolc' 
the  Bey   be    beforehand  apprized,  that  he  will  nei 
er  receive  a  single  musket  from  the  IJ^nited  s^Wet 
I  should  suppose  a  respect  to  decene^y,  if  not  a  sens 
of  gratitude,  would  dissuade  the  Sey  from  this  ne^^ 
and  extraordinary  claim.     Ha^he  not,  within  eigh, 
teen  months,  received  two  laAge  ships'  cargoes  in  VQi 
galia  ?  Have  we  not  novv  another  ship  laden  for  hin| 
on  its  passage ;  and  has  he  not,  within  sixty  days, 
demanded    cannon    extraordinary    of    the    United 
^  States  ?  At  this  rate,  when  are  our  payments  to  have 
aM  eud  ?  '■'  Never  !"  said  the  Minister.    -^^  As  to  the 
smips,  you  talk  of,  they  are  but  the  past  payment  ol" 
iVgalia  you  have  long  since  owed  us  as  the  condition 
'if  peace.     The  other  claims  we  make  are  such  as 
v^we  receive  from  all  friendly  nations  once  every  two 
or  three  years  :  it  is   an    established  custom ;  and 
you,  like  other   Christians,  will  be  obliged  to  con- 
form to  it."     When  we  shall  have  completed  th** 


20^  LIFE    OF 

payment  of  our  peace  stipulations  you  may  iitvei' 
«alculale  on  further  donations.  It  is  by  treaty  stip- 
ulated, as  the  condition  of  a  perpetual  peace,  and  a- 
ny  new  claims  on  your  part  will  be  an  infraction  of 
that  treaty,  and  will  be  so  considered  by  us.  You 
may  therefore,  at  once,  and  forever,  abandon  the  idea 
of  future  regalia  ;  for  I  again  assure  you,  in  the 
name  of  my  government  and  country,  that  the  dis- 
charge of  our  treaty  obligations  will  put  an  end  to 
©ur  contributions  here. 

/^  Ypiu*  contribtitions  here,  as  you  think  proper  to 
cpM.*>*^  * /'  repeated  the  Minister,  "  will  never  liave 
an  end  :  if  this  be  the  language  you  think  of  holding 
at  this  court  you  may  prepare  yourself  to  leave  the 
kingdom,  and  that  very  soon.''  If  change  of  stile  on 
my  pai-t,  said  I,  be  the  condition  of  residence  here,  1 
will  leave  the  Bey's  kingdom  tomorrow  morning. 
^^  We  will  give  you  a  month,"  said  the  Minister. 
I  ask  but  six  hours,  I  replied.  ^'  But  you  will 
write  ?"  JN'b  /  ^'  It  is  your  duty  to  write  !"  For  de- 
linquency in  duty,  this  is  not  the  place  where  I  am 
to  be  fjuestioned.  "  J  tell  you  again,"  continued 
hc>,.f^  your  peace  depends  on  your  compliance  with 
ims  tfSiTm^od  V>f  niy  master."  If  so,  said  I,  on  me  be 
the  responsjbiUC.y  of  breaking  the  peace.  I  wish 
you  a  good  morn1i7g  ! 

Leaving  the  palacC.  I  heard  the  Minister  say  to 
one  of  his  colleagues,  '•^- .By  God,  that  man  is  mad  ! 
But  we  shall  bring  him  to  f^r.ms  ;  never  fear  !" 

I  do  not  know  how  this  auiair  will  end.  I  shall 
not  change  my  position. 

Extracts  :  Mr.  Madison  (Secretary  or  SxATijiv 

TO  Eaton.  , 

Department  of  State  :  ., 

Washington,  May  20tii,  1801. 
THE  proofs  which  have  been  given   by 
the  Basliaw  of  Tripoli,  of  hostile  designs  against  the 
United  States,  h^ve,  as  you  will  learu  from  Compio- 


f» 


GEN.    EATON.  SO*; 

dore  Dale^  determined  the  President  to  send  into  the. 
Mediterranean  a  squadron  of  three  Frigates  and  a 
sloop  of  war,  under  the  command  of  that  officer. 
Should  war  have  been  declared  or  hostilities  com- 
menced, this  force  will  be  immediately  employed  in 
the  defence  and  protection  of  our  commerce  against 
the  piracies  of  that  Regency.  It  is  hoped  tiiat  the 
cont?igion  will  not  have  spread  either  to  Tunis  or 
Algiers  ;  but  should  one  or  both  of  them  have  fol- 
lowed the  perfidious  example,  their  corsairs  will  be 
equally  repelled  and  punished. 

The  policy  of  exhibiting  a  naval  force  on  the  coast 
of  Barbary,  has  long  been  urged  by  yourself  and  the 
other  Consuls.  The  present  moment  is  peculiarly 
favorable  for  the  experiment^  not  only  as  it  is  a  pro- 
vision against  an  immediate  danger,  but  as  we  are 
now  at  peace  and  amity  with  all  the  rest  of  the 
world,  and  as  the  force  employed  would,  if  at  home, 
be  at  nearly  the  same  expense,  with  less  advantage 
to  our  mariners.  The  President  has  therefore  everv 
reason  to  expect  the  utmost  exertions  of  your  pru- 
dence and  address,  in  giving  the  measure  an  impres- 
sion most  advantasieous  to  the  character  and  interests 
of  the  United  States.  In  elfecting  this  object,  the 
means  must  be  left  in  a  great  degree  to  your  laiowl- 
edge  of  the  local  and  otlser  circumstances,  which 
cannot  be  understood  at  this  distance.  You  will  oi' 
course  take  due  pains  to  satisfy  the  Bey,  that  the  U- 
nited  States  are  desirous  of  maintaining  peace  with 
all  nations,  who  are  willing  to  live  in  peace,  that 
they  have  given  abundant  evidence  of  their  dieposi^. 
tion  to  cultivate  the  friendship  of  the  Barbary  Re- 
gencies and  of  himself  in  particular,  and  that  if  tlie 
iiag  of  the  TJnited  States  should  be  engaged  in  war 
with  either  of  them,  it  will  be  a  war  of  defence  and 
necessity,  not  of  choice  or  provocation.  You  will 
also  give  every  friendly  explanation  and  assurance, 
on  t!)is  occasioiij  which  may  be  requisite  for  th© 
Consuls  and  Agents  of  other  powers  residing  at  Tu- 
nis- 


^08  Lii'E  or 

You  are  authorised  to  inform  tlieyBey  of  Tunis, 
'hat  a  vessel  is  now  preparing  to  tiikc  in  the  cargo^ 
Mhieh  will  complete  the  regalia  due  to  him,  and  that 
no  time  will  be  lost  in  getting  her  on  her  voyage. 
The  jewels,  to  the  amount  of  SI 0,000,  have,  as  you 
know,  been  ordered  to  be  prepared  in  London.  On 
the  28th  December  last,  Mr.  King  wrote  :  "  I  have 
concluded  to  take  immediate  measures  to  provide  the 
jewels  enumerated  in  the  list  furnished  by  Mr.  Ea- 
ton. 8ome  of  the  articles  can  be  soon  prepared 
and  sent :  others,  including  the  arms  and  almost  all 
the  jewelry,  will  require  a  long  time  to  be  prepar- 
ed." If  they  are  essential  to  the  preservation  of 
peace  and  the  benefits  of  the  treaty  with  the  Bey, 
they  must  be  yielded  to  him.  The  demand  is  nev- 
ertheless deemed  so  extortionate,  that  the  President 
expects  from  you  every  practicable  exertion  to  get 
rid  of  it,  or  as  much  as  circumstances  will  permit 
you  to  withhold.  The  articles,  withdrawn  from  tin 
present,  may  be  preserved,  to  be  applied  on  some 
future  occasion,  which  mav  demand  them. 

^     To  Mr.  Madison. 

Tunis  J  September  5tli^  1801. 
THE  inelosures,  which  I  have  the  hon- 
or herewith  to  forward,  will  inform  government,  as 
accurately  as  I  have  the  means,  of  our  actual  posi- 
tion and  future  prospects  in  regard  to  Tripoli,  one 
circumstance  only  omitted,  which  is,  a  project  in 
concert  between  the  rightful  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  now 
an  exile  in  Tunis,  and  myself,  to  attack  the  usurper 
by  land,  while  our  operations  are  going  on  by  sea. 
These  two  men  are  brothers  ;  the  younger  is  on  the 
throne  ;  having  expelled  the  elder  about  eight  or 
nine  years  ago.  Tlie  subjects  in  general  of  the 
reigning  Bashaw  are  very  discontented,  and  ripe  fov 
revolt ;  they  want  nothing  but  confidence  in  the 
prospect  of  success.  This  confidence  may  be  iu 
spired  by  assurances  of  our  determinrition  +n   cbas- 


GEN,    EATON.  SiiH? 

iise  this  Bashaw  for  his  outrages  against  the  United 
States.  The  Bey  of  Tunis,  though  prudence  will 
keep  him  behind  the  curtain,  I  have  strong  reasons 
to  believe,  will  cheerfully  promote  the  scheme.  H« 
is  in  favor  of  the  elder  brother.  The  idea  of  de- 
throning  our  enemy,  and  placing  a  rightful  Sovereign 
in  his  seat,  makes  a  deeper  impression  on  account  of 
the  lasting  peace  it  will  produce  with  that  Regencyj 
and  the  lesson  of  caution  it  will  teach  the  other  Bar- 
bary  States.  These  are  objects  which,  to  me  seem 
so  clearly  in  our  power  that  they  ought  to  command 
exertions. 

To  Mr.  Madison. 

Tunis,  J\*ov.  iyth,  1801. 
THE  manner  in  which  the  King  of  Den- 
mark  has  been  pleased  to  recognize  my  services  the 
last  summer,  (inclosure  B.)  places  me  in  somewhat  of 
an  embarrassed  situation.  I  do  not  know,  all  things 
considered,  whether  the  token  of  satisfaction  his 
Majesty  tenders  me  comes  within  the  interdict  of  the 
construction  of  the  constitution  :  I  submit  the  ques- 
tion  to  government ;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  have 
answered  the  board,  (inclosure  C.) 

f  Inclosure  B.  of  the  preceding  letter.  J 

Cojrenhagen,  Juhj  ii tJi,  1801, 
Sir, 

HIS  Majesty,  the  King,  having  been  in- 
formed of  your  kind  pi-oceedings  towards  his  sub- 
jects,  who  last  year  had  the  misfortune  of  being  made 
slaves  by  the  Tunissians  5  as  also  of  the  service  you 
have  rendered  the  owners  of  six  of  the  captured 
ships,  by  venturing  to  purchase  them  at  the  instances 
of  the  masters,  and  restoring  since  to  the  said  own- 
ers, though  upon  a  somewhat  precarious  security  for 
getting  reimbursed  your  expences  ;  and  of  the 
friendly  assistance  which  you  have  lent  Commodorf* 

S7 


SIO  LIFE    OP 

Koefoed  as  lie  addressed  himself  to  you  ;  has  beeK 
most  graciously  pleased  to  order  us  to  transmit  you 
the  gold  box  ornamented  with  the  initials  of  his 
Royal  name,  which  will  be  delivered  to  you  along 
with  this  letter,  and  which  you  will  please  to  accept^ 
as  a  token  of  his  Ma  jesty's  most  high  satisfaction 
with  regard  to  the  services  you  have  rendered  the 
nation. 

It  is  peculiarly  pleasing  for  us,  sir,  to  fulfil  his 
Majesty's  orders  on  this  subject,  as  we  entertain  the 
highest  sense  of  your  very  liberal  and  meritorious 
conduct  ;  which  suits  entirely  those  relations  of 
friendship  and  intimacy  which  subsist,  and,  we  trust, 
will  continue  still  increasing  between  both  govern- 
ments :  and  it  shall  be  our  particular  care  to  give 
orders  to  the  Danish  Consuls  on  the  coast  of  Barba- 
ry  that  they  shall  avail  themselves  of  every  oppor- 
tunity that  may  occur  for  being  of  any  service  to  the 
interests  of  the  government  of  the  United  States  and 
of  individuals  of  the  American  nation  :  which  we 
are  happy  ta  learn  has  already  been  done  by  his 
Majesty's  Consul  at  Tripoli. 

Captain  Hoick,  of  the  navy,  has  been  appointed 
his  Majesty's  Consul  at  Tunis  ;  we  beg  leave.  Sir, 
to  recommend  him  to  your  friendly  attentions,  which 
he  most  assuredly  will  endeavor  to  secure  by  the 
ties  of  mutual  esteem  and  confidence  :  and  we  must 
particularly  request  for  him,  that  yon,  Sir,  might  be 
pleased  to  give  him  the  advice  and  directions  which 
a  newly  arrived  stranger  alw  ays,  and  especially  in 
the  country  where  you  live,  stands  so  much  in  need 
of. 

We  are^  with  particular  esteem^ 
Sir^  your  very  obedient  Servants, 
The   Members  of  the  Board  for  the   affairs 

relatins;  to  the  states  on  the  coast  of  Barbaru. 
fSlgmdJ  E.  SCHIMELMAN  STIEN  BILLE '^ 


i«rv 


«EN.    EATON,  Sii 


finclosure  C.J 

American  house  at  Tunis. 

JSTovemler  i7th,  1801. 
Gentlemen, 

THE  expression  by  which  his  Danish 
Majesty  has  been  most  graciously  pleased  to  signify 
his  approbation  of  my  conduct,  during  the  short  pe- 
riod  I  acted  as  his  medium  of  communication  with 
this  Regency,  and  which  was  last  evening  put  into 
my  hands  by  his  Consul  Capt.  Hoick,  does  me  dis- 
tinguished honor  ;  and  impresses  at  the  same  time  a 
deep  sense  of  obligation  :  but,  as  an  article  of  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States  ordains  that,  ^^  no 
person  holding  an  office  of  profit  or  trust  under  them, 
shall,  without  the  consent  of  Congress,  accept  of  any 
present,  emolument,  office  or  title  of  any  kind  what- 
ever, from  any  king,  prince  or  foreign  state"  it  is  be- 
lieved his  Danish  Majesty  will  be  graciously  pleas- 
ed to  allow  me  to  submit  for  the  decision  of  that  body 
whether  I  may  be  permitted  to  hold  this  honorable 
testimonial  of  his  satisfaction  ? 

If  in  exercising  the  duties  of  a  Christian  and  a 
man,  I  may  have  been  serviceable  to  some  of  his 
Danish  Majesty's  subjects,  who  had  unfortunately 
fallen  into  slavery  here,  tlie  simplest  evidence  of  his 
contentment  would  have  been  an  ample  gratification  : 
I  certainly  acted  with   no  other  view  of  recompense. 

I  feel  myself  bound  no  less  by  the  ties  of  sympathy 
and  gratitude  than  by  a  consideration  of  the  happy 
intelligence  which  subsists  between  the  two  govern- 
ments, to  tender  Consul  Hoick,  as  well  as  every  in- 
dividual of  the  Danish  nation,  my  best  offices  when- 
ever they  may  be  useful  :  the  United  States  at  this 
moment  receive  essential  services  from  the  friendly 
and  judicious  agency  of  his  Danish  Majesty's  Con- 
sul, Mr.  Nissen,  at  Tripoli. 

I  shall  transmit  a  copy  of  the  letter  I  have  had  the 
honor  to  receive  from  you  to  t|ie  government  af  the 


SIS  LIFE   OF 

United  States  ;  and  I  make  no  doubt  that  they  wiU 
reciprocate  the  benevolent  orders  you  have  givei^ 
your  Consuls  on  the  Barbary  coast. 

With  perfect  consideration 

Your  most  obedient  and 
most  humble  Sercant. 
WILLIAM  EATON. 
To  the  honorable  Members  of  the  Board 
relating  to  the  States  on  the  Barbary  coast. 

Copenhagen. 

To  Mr.  Madison. 

Tunis,  December  i2th,  180i. 
I  HAVE  the  honor  to  inform  you  that 
the  Peace  and  Plenty,  Capt.  Richard  Woods,  under 
the  convoy  of  the  George  Washington,  arrived  here 
on  the  evening  of  the  first  instant.  She  has  already 
delivered  her  powder,  (which,  although  somewhat 
damaged,  has  passed,  with  a  bribe,  to  the  surveyor,) 
and  a  small  quantity  of  her  plank.  The  rest  of  her 
cargo,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  examine  it,  ap- 
pears in  good  order,  and  will  be  delivered,  it  is 
hoped,  within  her  lay  days.  I  have  not  the  smallest 
doubt  but  that  it  will  be  well  accepted. 

Extract,  to  Doctor   William    Turner,  of   the 
United  States  Navy,  at  Tunis. 

December  iSth,  1801. 
THE  invalid  state  of  my  health  compels 
itic  to  take  a  short  voyage  at  sea  to  try  the  efficacy 
of  change  of  air  and  climate  :  and  the  Greorge  Wash- 
ington, Capt.  Sha^^ ,  offering  me  a  passage  to  Leg- 
liorn,  I  have  obtained  the  consent  of  this  Bey  that 
the  affairs  of  the  LTnited  States  shall  be  conducted 
by  you  during  my  absence,  and  I  have  resolved  to 
profit  of  this  occasion  to  go  thither  :  some  instruc- 
tions therefore  to  assist  your  agency  seem  not  only 
proper  but  necessary  ;  kc. 


GEN-    EATON,  113 


To  Mr.  Madison. 


Tunis,  Dec.  iStJi,  1801. 
ON  the  morning  of  the  Sd  J\'*ov.  I  re- 
ceived a  message  from  Sidi  Mahomet  Ba«haw,  the 
exile  from  Tripoli,  informing  me  that  the  usurper, 
Ms  brother,  hart  addressed  the  Dey  of  Algiers  and 
begged  his  mediation  to  bring  about  a  reconciliation 
with  the  American  government ;  and  expressed  great 
solicitude  to  know,  whether,  in  my  opinion,  the  A- 
mericans  would  admit  such  an  intervention  ?  I  did 
not  hesitate  to  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that  my  govern- 
ment, havinir  been  once  deceived  bv  that  Dav. 
would  now  seek  to  establish  their  peace  on  a  surer 
base.  He  then  desired  to  be  advised  whether  he  might 
place  any  reliance  on  the  operations  of  the  Ameri- 
cans in  his  behalf.  I  recommended  to  him  patieiice 
and  silence  ;  at  the  same  time  gave  him  leave  to  en- 
tertain the  hope  (may  it  not  be  illusive)  that  the  next 
sumnjer's  opepations  would  favor  his  views. 

To  Mr.  Madison. 

Leghorn,  Feb,  22d.  180^, 
INFORMATION  from  Tripoli  up  to 
^th  January,  states  that  no  captures  had  been  made. 
The  Bashaw  is  sending  away  his  covsaires  to  difi'er- 
ent  ports  in   the  Morea  for  fear  of  assault  from    the 
Americans.     Discontentment  in  his  interior  has  aris- 
en to   insurrection.     Famine  distresses   his  capital  : 
and   he  is  destitute  of  resourses.     He  has   actually 
made  overtures  of  reconciliation  to   his   brother   at 
Tunis.     I  siiall  defeat  this  project  if  I  arrive  at  jny 
post  in  season  :  shall  depart   hence  in  three   days  r 
have  waited  hitherto  fqv  a  passage. 


S14<  LIFE    OF 


To  Mr,  Madison.  , 

Tunis,  March  iSth,  1803. 
ON  arriving  at  Tunis  I  find  Sidi  Mahom- 
et Bashaw  yielding  to  his  brother's  instances^,  and 
on  the  point  of  departing  for  Derne,  a  province  of 
Tripoli,  the  government  of  which  is  promised  him  ; 
for  which  purpose  he  begged  my  passport.  I  not 
only  refused  it,  but  told  him  very  candidly  that  if  he 
departed  we  must  consider  him  in  the  light  of  an 
enemy,  and  that,  instead  of  my  influence  to  assist 
his  passage  to  the  kingdom  of  Tripoli,  I  should  give 
it  to  have  him  afld  his  retinue  carried  prisoners  of 
war  to  the  United  States  ;  but  if  he  would  adhere  to 
liis  former  arrangements  I  did  not  doubt  but  that  be- 
fore the  expiration  of  four  months  he  might  be  offer- 
ed to  his  people  by  an  American  squadron.  I  tell 
him  the  sole  object  of  his  brother  is  to  cut  his  throat. 
He  is  sufficiently  aWmed  and  too  much  distressed, 
this  Bey  having  refused  him  any  further  supplies  of 
provisions.  He  proposes  going  to  Malia  and  wait- 
ing the  issue  there.  I  will  only  consent  to  his  going 
to  Leghorn  or  Sardinia.  If  he  departs  on  other 
terms  I  shall  send  an  armed  ship  after  liim,  and,  if 
possible,  carry  him  and  retinue  to  some  Italian  port 

To  Mr.  Cath,cart. 

Tunis,  ^ipril  g6f7z,  1802. 
AT  Bardo  last  Wednesday,  mutually 
s^iccusing  each  other  of  unaccomnioding  dispositions, 
the  altercation  grew  so  warm  thai  tlie  Bey  ordered 
me  to  quit  the  court,  and  hold  myself  in  readiness  to 
embark  in  the  first  ship  of  war  of  my  own  country 
which  should  arrive  in  port.  I  turned  short  on  my 
heels  ;  came  to  my  office  ;  and  forbade  my  secretary 
illling  any  more  passports  for  Tunissian  cruisers. 
This  prohibition  was  immediately  reported  to  the 
Bey  I  and  had  the  effect  aimed  at.     The  same  even- 


GEN.    EATON.  215 

lug  his  commercial  agent  come  to  my  house  and 
begged,  in  Grod^s  name,  that  I  Avould  countermand 
that  order  :  said  it  was  not  the  intention  of  the  Bey 
to  provoke  a  war  by  sending  me  away,  but  rather  to 
obtain  another  Consul  more  capable  of  cherishing 
peace  than  myself.  I  replied,  that  I  should  not  con- 
descend to  consider  the  Bey's  objects  nor  views  in 
oft'ering  an  affront  to  my  government  in  the  person  of 
their  agent.  He  had  taken  his  position  :  1  had  tak- 
en mine,  which  I  should  hold  till  he  retracted  his. 
Saturday  morning  I  went  to  Bardo  on  the  invitation 
of  the  Bey.  The  first  motion  was  to  resolve  the  past 
into  oblivion ;  of  course  an  act  of  mutual  amnesty 
was  passed.  We  then  discussed  the  relative  ad- 
vantages of  peace  and  war.  The  result  was,  as  con- 
cluded by  this  court,  "  That,  though  they  could  not 
pretend  to  the  ability  of  fighting  our  ships  of  war,  we 
could  not  do  them  any  hurt  :  they  would  lay  up 
their  large  cruisers,  and  send  out  their  small  ones  to 
vex  our  commerce.  And,  said  the  Minister,  though 
a  fly  in  a  man's  throat  cannot  kill  him,  it  will  make 
him  vomit.  Yet  they  should  always  be  willing  to 
maintain  the  peace  with  the  Americans  on  the  same 
footing  as  the  other  small  Christian  nations,  but  they 
must  have  a  Consul  with  less  fantasia^  and  mors 
friendly  to  the  Barbary  interests.'^  I  stated  that  I 
daily  expected  permission  to  return  to  my  country, 
and  to  be  succeeded  by  Mr.  Cathcart,  my  colleague 
at  Tripoli.  The  Bey  expressed  astonishment :  ask- 
ed if  I  recollected  what  he  said  last  year  to  this  prop- 
osition ',  and  repeated  that  you  sliould  never  come  in- 
to his  country  on  auy  pretext  whatever  ;  even  if  you 
were  a  good  man  it  would  be  improper,  after  having 
made  war  with  Tripoli. — But,  embroglioue,  (troub- 
lesome, litigious,  trifler)  as  he  knew  you  to  be,  his 
desire  of  peace  alone  would  exclude  you  from  iiis 
court  and  kingdom.- 


Sid  ilFE   0* 


To  Mr.  Madison. 

TuniSf  May  25th,  180S. 
YESTERDAY  I  received  a  note  from 
the  Bey's  Prime  Minister,  demanding  an  interview. 
I  rendered  myself  at  the  palace,  to  encounter,  as  I 
supposed,  new  perplexities  ;  but,  on  passing  the  us- 
ual  ceremony  with  the  Bey,  I  discovered  on  his  coun- 
tenance an  unnsual  air  of  complaisance.  He  signifi- 
ed to  mc  iAmU  after  uniting  a  little,  I  should  be  in- 
formed of  the  object  of  calling  me  to  the  palace. 
Accordingly,  in  about  an  hour  after,  I  accompanied 
the  Minister  witli  the  commercial  Agent  of  the  Re- 
gency into  a  private  cliamber  ;  where,  after  a  great 
deal  of  circumlocution,  he  came  to  the  subject  in 
view  ;  which  was  nothing  more  nor  less  than  VLjirojp- 
osition  of  peace  3n  the  jmrt  of  the  Bashaw  of  Trip, 
all,  through  the  mediation  and  binder  the  guarantee 
of  the  Bey  of  Tunis.  Here  follows  the  substance  ot 
our  conference. 

^'  Have  you  done  any  thing''  said  the  Minister^ 
^'  on  the  subject  of  a  peace  with  Tripoli  ?" 

Nothing. 

"  You  are  carrying  on  a  war,  at  so  great  a  dis* 
tanee,  p-t  very  great  expense,  without  a  prospect  of 
gaining  any  tliins^-'*' 

That  we  are  very  j^ensible  of. 

^^  Would  vou  l)e  willing  to  negociate  a  peace  with 
Tripoli?" 

Are  you  authorized  to  pro]»csethis  ([uestion  ? 

"  1  am." 

Well,  then  I  toll  you  very  frankly,  v^e  have  no 
inducements  whatever  to  desire  a  war  with  any  na- 
tion on  earth  ;  much  less  with  that  \v}?ich  is  novv^  the 
subject  of  it.  If  Tripoli  should  make  suitable" re- 
tractions, she  may  think  of  peace.  But,  even  then, 
we  should  think  it  hazardous  to  treat  with  tlie reign- 
ing Bashaw  after  having  secTi  such  llagiant  viola- 
tions of  his  faith. 


<iEN.    EATON.  817 

"  If  the  Bey  of  Tunis  would  act  as  mediator  be- 
tween the  parties,  and  take  upon  himself  the  guaran- 
tee of  the  peace  on  the  part  of  Tripoli,  would  it  re- 
move this  difficulty  ?" 

We  have  great  reliance  on  the  good  faith,  equity 
and  magnanimity  of  his  Excellency  the  Bey  of  Tu- 
nis j  and  should  l)e  very  secure  in  his  responsibili- 
ty :  but  is  it  certain  that  this  Bey  would  take  upon 
himself  the  guarantee  of  a  peace  in  behalf  of  Trip- 
oli ?  ' 

"  Yes.  But  if  you  talk  of  retractions  and  indem- 
nities, it  would  be  idle  to  talk  of  peace.  On  the 
contrary,  according  to  all  custom,  you  must  make 
the  Bashaw  a  small  jjresent :  though  he  would  ])e 
willing  to  put  up  with  something  less  than  what  he 
at  first  demanded.'" 

We  were  not  the  first  to  violate  the  peace  :  we  arjj 
not  the  first  to  demand  it.  If  Tripoli  be  solicitous! 
for  it,  she  must  abandon  the  idea  of  imposing  condi- 
tions. She  will  most  certainly  never  receive  a  ca- 
roube*  in  consideration  of  her  friendship  :  we  do 
not  set  any  value  upon  it. 

'^  Nay  ;  but  if  you  place  no  value  on  her  fiiend- 
sliip,  the  security  of  your  commerce  in  this  sea,  and 
the  saving  of  the  expense  of  armaments,  are  objects 
of  consideration,  in  which  you  consult  your  own  in- 
terest.'' 

We  never  supposed  oar  commerce  in  this  sea 
more  secure  than  at  present ;  notwithstaijding  the 
war  with  Tripoli ;  and  as  to  tlie  expense  of  arma- 
ments  we  accumulate  nothing  on  that  score  from 
making  the  Mediterranean  the  manouvering  ground 
of  our  seamen.  We  shall  probalily  always  have  a 
squadron  in  this  sea. 

<*  But  Tripoli  is  very  poor  :  she  -caoiiiot  subsist 
without  the  generosity  of  heifriciiih  :  g;ive  something 
then  on  the  score  of  charity.'" 

*  52  oaroubes  make  a  dollar. 

2^ 


^18  LIFE    OF 

Tripoli  has  forfeited  lier  title  of  friend.  Besides, 
there  is  a  vast  difference  between  the  beggar  who 
seizes  my  horse  by  the  bit,  and.  with  a  pistol  at  my 
breast,  demands  my  purse,  and  him  who,  with  one 
hand  pressed  to  his  heart,  and  the  other  hanging 
with  his  hat,  asks  charity  for  the  love  of  God.  The 
former  merits  chastisement  ;  the  latter  excites  com- 
miseration.    I   leave  you  to  apply  the  figure. 

"  1  feel  it.  But  the  Barbary  Regencies  never 
make  peace  without  presents.^' 

It  is  high  time  then  that  there  should  be  a  prece- 
dent. 

^'  But  you  say  you  are  disposed  for  peace." 

Yes  ;  but  you  are  not  to  understand  me  that  we 
either  wish  or  will  accept  it  on  dishonorable  terms. 

^"  There  can  be  nothing  dishonorable  in  making  a 
small  voluntary  present  to  Tripoli.'^ 

Drop  this  subject,  if  you  please.  Tripoli  is  not 
in  a  right  position  to  receive  expressions  of  our  hos- 
pitality. Nor  am  I  vested  with  powers  to  negoci- 
ate.  I  can  only  express  to  you  the  general,  but  fix- 
ed sentiment  of  my  government  and  country,  that  we 
f  refer  ■peace  to  war,  if  ice  can  have  it  on  honorable 
terms  :  and  you  are  at  liberty  to  express  this  senti- 
ment to  Tripoli.  She  may  profit  of  it  if  she  tbink 
proper.  Otherwise,  four  or  five  years  of  warfare 
with  that  state  will  be  but  a  pastime  to  our  young 
w^ari'iors. 

"  I  shall  send  off  a  courier,''  said  the  minister, 
^^  with  the  result  of  this  interview." 

At  evening  the  commercial  agent  was  at  my  house. 
Went  over  the  same  ground.  Was  sure  that  we 
should  never  have  a  peace  without  paijing  some- 
thing :  it  would  disgrace  the  Regency  :  but  he  seem- 
ed extremely  solicitous  to  have  permission  to  write 
sometliing  promising  to  Tripoli  on  the  subject  of  a 
negociation.  He  said,  what  the  Minister  had  as- 
serted  in  tlie  moi'ning,  that  the  only  pretext  the 
Bashaw  of  Tripoli  had   for  breaking  faith  with   i\m 


g;en.  eatox.  gig 

United  States  was  that  the  peace  was  not  voluntary 
on  his  part ;  but  forced  on  him  by  Algiers. 

These  overtures  go  to  prove  the  embarrassed  situ- 
ation of  our  enemy  ;  and  promise,  if  suitable  advan- 
tage is  taken  of  it.  a  peace  on  our  own  terms.  We 
hold  the  high  grounds  of  him  at  all  points.  I  am  par- 
tial to  my  original  plan  of  restoring  the  rightful 
Bashaw,  though  nothing  was  said  on  the  subject  at 
the  palace  to  day.  I  think  it  highly  probable  that 
the  reigning  Bashaw  has  offered  more  powerful  ar- 
guments to  engage  this  Minister  in  his  interest  than 
either  his  brother  had  the  means  or  myself  the  dis- 
cretion of  offering.  Besides,  the  Bey  of  Tunis  is  ig- 
norant of  that  project.  It  will  be  reasonable  enougli 
to  inform  him  of  it  after  having  ensured  its  success. 
In  the  mean  time  let  us  amuse  the  usurper  with  his 
own  propositions. 

To  Mr  King. 

Tunis,  June  Qth,  1803* 
ON  the  38th  ult.  arrived  the  United 
States  frigate  Constellatiouj  Capt.  Alexander  Mur- 
ray, last  from  Gibraltar.  He  delivered  me  the  arms 
prepared  in  London  for  this  Bey,  which  I  have  pre- 
sented, saving  the  sword,  and  which  were  highlj 
acceptable  ;  but,  in  the  uniform  spirit  of  insolence 
which  Christians  tolerate  in  tliese  Regencies,  the 
Bey,  through  his  Minister,  after  receiving  these  val- 
uable articles,  revived  a  former  demand  for  a  corvette 
or  brig  of  war,  such  as  we  had  given  Algiers.  I 
referred  him  to  treaty  stipulations  ;  and  thus  silenc- 
ed this  claim,  at  leas*^.  for  the  present  :  it  will  be  re- 
vived the  instant  that  Ave  consent  to  pay  Tripoli  for 
a.  peace  ;  which  must  be  the  result  of  that  war  u«les9 
Wore  energy  J)e  thrown  into  our  operations. 


2^0  LIFE   OF 


To  Mr.  Madison. 

Tunis,  June  StJu  i802. 
MY  moasiii-es  with  Mahamet  Bashaw, 
the  rightful  sovereign  of  Tripoli,'  which  I  liave  had 
the  honor  to  detail  to  government  hy  different  ronts 
and  various  occasions,  have  undergone  very  severe 
criticism  hy  Captains  S.  Barron  and  Bainbridge  ;  by 
them  reprobated  in  a  stile  of  most  illiberal  censure  ; 
and  under  their  influence  rejected  by  Capt.  Murray, 
in  an  air  of  authority  and  reprimand  which  I  should 
not  expect  even  from  the  highest  departments  of  gov- 
ernment. 

I  am  aware  that  tlic  expression  found  in  my  com- 
munication on  the  subject,  we  are  abandoned  hy  our 
ships  oficar.  may  have  touched  the  feelings  of  gen- 
tlemen commanding  them.  I  am  not  in  fault  for 
that.'  It  is  my  duty,  at  least  I  consider  it  so,  to  re- 
port facts  as  they  present  themselves  to  me  :  no  con- 
sideration will  divert  me  from  that  duty. 

The  Philadelphia  sailed  from  this  port  the.  23d. 
September  last  for  Tripoli  ;  and  returned  the  2d. 
October  following  :  she  has  not  been  seen  here 
since  :  and  one  of  her  midshipmen,  now  acting  in 
the  Constellation,  whose  name  I  forget,  afBrms  that 
she  has  but  once  since  slvivvn  herself  before  Tripoli ; 
and  then  remained  on  the  station  only  six  hours. 
This  is  the  only  United  States  ship  of  war*  Avhich 
has  appeared  at  all  on  tliis  coast  since  October,  untrl 
the  arrival  of  the  Boston,  Capt.  M'Niell,  who  has 
fcejrthis  -post.  The  exh'emity  of  the  winter  com- 
pelled the  commander  of  the  Philadelphia  to  take 
house  and  lodgings  at  Saragosa,  except  thirty  or  for- 
ty days  he  has  been  on  shore  at  Leghorn.  The  Es- 
sex has  been  stationed  oii'Gibralter  to  watch  the  hull 

*  Except  the  George  Washington  in  the  tripple  character  of 
t\arrior,  transport,  and  merchantman. 


GEX.    EATON.  2S1 


of  a  dismantled  ship  ;  but  that  post  she  has  left  oc- 
casionally, ten,  twelve,  or  fifteen  days  at  different 
periods  :  she  may  liave  had  special  calls  at  Malaga 
and  Cadiz.  This  is  a  singularly  economical  mode 
of  carrying  on  the  war  ;  and  it  is  not  extraordinary 
if  gentlemen /ep/it?^%  attached  to  it  should  take  of- 
fence at  a  vigilance  which  should  go  to  put  an  end 
to  it. 

There  may  be  another  source   of  grievance  be- 
tween  one  of    tiiose  gentlemen   and  myself,  which 
takes  its  rise  at  Algiers.     I  have  exercised  the  liber- 
ty, in  terms  as  pointed  as  every  citizen  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  should  feel  the  abasement,  to  express  my 
concern  that  a  United  States  ship  of  war  should  have 
been  exposed  to  the  ridicule  of  nations,  navigating 
tha  sea  under  Algerine  colors  !  And,  though  I  never 
aimed  to  reflect  any  censure  on  the  commander,  who 
acted  under,  perha,ps,  inevitable  compulsion,  it  is 
nevertheless  possible,    nay  proliable,  that  the  turn 
Mr.    O'Brien  may   have   given   to  my  expressions 
should  have   wounded  his  sensibility  ;  for  whoever 
is  acquainted  with  tiie  emotions  of  the  human  heart 
will  be  at  no  loss  to  imagine  what  kind  of  sensations 
my    disapprobation   of   that  disgraceful  concession 
Avould  excite  in  the  temper  of  individuals  who  really 
are,  or  who  seem  to  think  themselves  iraplicated  :  it 
is  very  certain  that  Capt.  Murray  has  been  iiifinenc- 
ed   by  Captains  S.  Barron  and  Baiuliridge.     \^' hen 
I  had  the   pleasure   to  wait  on  those    gentlemen  in 
this  port,  last  summer,   they  expressed  their   entire 
concurrence  in  all  my  measures  ;  and  seemed,  with 
me,  fully  ])ersHaded   that  tJie  most  energccic  opera- 
lions  would   alone   stamp  the  impression  on   these 
powers  which  our  nation  are  desirous  to  impress  of 
our  strength   and   abilities.     Why  they  should  so 
suddenly  depart  fr  jm  that  sentiment  :  or  why  Capt. 
Murrav  should  arroirateto  himself  the  discretion  to 
put  so  prompt,  so  rigorous  a  check  to  measures  tend- 
ing to  that  effect,  I  cannot  well  comprehend  :  it  is  a 
stran£:c  notion  of  economv  wmcii  should   induce  bins 


2^2  LIFE    OP 

to  reject  a  project  which  promises  a  saving  to  the  U- 
iiited  States  hundreds  of  thousands,  under  a  pretext 
of  curtailing  an  expence  of  10  or  20  thousand  dol- 
lars. If  he  acted  from  want  of  confidence  in  the 
success  of  the  project,  he  was  moved  by  a  zeal  with- 
out Icnoivledge.  Information  he  may  have  received 
from  Captains  S.  Barron  and  Bainhridge  must  have 
been  presumptive  ;  for  those  commanders,  not  hav- 
ing been  for  the  eight  months  last  past  in  this  quar- 
ter, can  be  but  very  imperfectly  -informed  of  the 
whole  facts  and  entire  object  which  those  arrange- 
ments embrace.  They  can,  in  fact,  have  no  infor- 
mation dn  the  subject,  except  by  mere  intimation, 
other  than  what  they  derive  from  my  dispatches,  a- 
bove  alluded  to,  passed  open  through  their  hands  ; 
to  which,  however,  it  is  manifest,  they  paid  no  re- 
spect ;  except  such  parts  of  them  as  may  Jiave  been 
construed  to  have  reference  to  individual  delinquen- 
oy.  But  to  whom  are  gentlemen,  intrusted  with,  and 
fresh  in,  command  here,  to  look  for  information  ?  To 
the  local  and  proper  Agents  of  the  government  sta- 
tioned here  to  watch  for  the  interests  of  the  United 
Stateis ;  or  to  the  theatres  of  Saragosa,  Leghorn  and 
Malaga  ?         -*         ^         *         «-         *         «-         -» 

To  Mi?.  Madisox. 

Tunis,  .lug.  5th,  1803. 
ON  the  S3d  ult.  I  fell  in  witli  a  Tripo- 
line  mercliaut  at  the  Swedish  house,  who  informed 
rac  that  the  circumstance  of  Maharaet  Bashaw  being 
at  Malta,  had  excited  great  emotion  at  Tripoli  ;  that 
the  reigning  Basluw  was  much  alarmed  ;  and  that 
to  prevent  an  insurrection  in  the  interior  in  favor  of 
the  brother,  the  Bashaw  had  seized  and  confined 
several  chiefs  of  principal  village;^.  On  the  contra- 
ry, that  his  subjects  build  on  this  circumstance  a 
hope  of  returning  peace  and  a  milder  administration. 
That  a  spirit  of  universal  discontentment  and  revolt 
pervade  all   classes  of  the  subjects,   except  a   few 


GEN.    EATON.  223 

personally  attached  to  the  reigning  Bashaw  :  and 
that  they  generally  think  it  the  interposition  of  heav- 
en that  their  rightful  sovereign  is  to  be  restored  to 
them  and  their  oppressor  punished.  I  do  not  vouch 
for  the  truth  of  these  facts  ;  though  t)«ey  correspond 
with  every  thing  which  has  come  to  my  knowledge 
on  the  subject. 

To  his  ExcKLLENCY  Mahamet  Caramelli,  Basii^ 

AW  of  Tripoli. 

Tunis,  Aug.  6f/z,  180S. 

BiR, 

I  HAVE  Lad  the  honor  to  receive  your 
Excellency's  letter  of  l6th  ult.  and  I  improve  this 
first  opportunity  to  request  Mr.  Pulis  to  furnish  you 
with  two  thousand  hard  dollars  on  the  credit  of  the 
United  States,  which,  I  hope  will  be  a  relief  to  your 
situation  until  the  arrival  of  o\ir  Commodore,  who  is 
hourly  expected  here.  He  arrived  at  Gibraltar  ear- 
ly in  June  ;  but  has  been  detaiued  in  that  quarter  for 
the  arrangement  of  public  affiiirs  with  the  Emperor 
of  Morocco.  I  hope  your  Excellency's  patience 
will  noi  be  exhausted.  Remember  that  your  broth- 
er thirsts  for  your  blood.  I  have  learned  from  a 
certain  source  that  his  project  of  getting  you  to 
Derne  was  to  murder  you.  He  is  now  more  deter- 
mined than  ever  ;  because  he  has  intercepted  some 
of  your  letters  to  your  friends  in  Tripoli.  You  can- 
not be  safe  therefore,  in  any  part  of  your  Regency, 
unless  you  enter  it  in  your  true  character  of  sover- 
eign. I  believe  in  God,  the  mighty  and  the  just,  that 
this  event  is  not  far  distant.  In  the  mean  time,  per- 
mit me  to  recommend  to  your  Excellency  to  keep  up 
a  correspondence  with  those  of  your  party  in  Tripoli, 
and  with  your  subjects  of  the  country.  Let  them  be 
persuaded  that  your  friends  will  not  abandon  you 
until,  by  the  help  of  God,  they  shall  see  you  restored 
to  your  faithful  people.     Give  them   assurances  to 


SS4;  LIFE    OF 

redress  their  grievances   and  to  treat   them  like  a 
mild  and  just  prince.     And  do  every  thing  to  detach 
them  from  the  interest  of  the  usurper. 
/  have  the  honor  to  he, 

Sir,  with  the  most  profound  respect, 
t/our  Excellency's  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  EATON. 

To  Mr.  Madisqn. 

Tunis,  Aug.  Qth,  1802.  - 
,  WHxiTEVER  may  be  Capt.  Murray's 
opinion  of  my  measures,  he  ought  not  to  sacrifice  the 
interests  of  service  to  individual  resentments.  Gov- 
ernment  may  as  well  send  out  quaker  meeting-houses 
to  float  about  t!iis  sea  as  frigates  with  Murrays  in 
comipand  :  the  friendly  salutes  lie  may  receive  and 
return  at  Gibraltar  produce  nothing  at  Tripoli. 
Have  we  but  one  Truxton  and  one  Sterret  in  the 
United  States  ? 

The  Arab  camp,  called  to  the  defence  of  Tripoli, 
has  undoubtedly  been  collected  to  defeat  the  project 
of  Mahamet  Bashaw,   the  exiled  brotlier.     What 
other  internal  enemy  can  the  usurper  fear  ?  If  so, 
this   amounts  to   unquestionable   evidence  of  the  in- 
fluence that  measure  might  have  had  in  the  war  with 
Tripoli  if  pushed  to  eifect.     But,  perhaps,  the  proj- 
ect is  not  lost.     Let  tlie   reigning   Bashaw  exhaust 
his  resources  in  useless  defensive  preparations,  and 
fatigue   his   subjects    with  fruitless    campaigning ; 
v/hiie  the  project  in  vicAv,  on  the  part  of  his  enemy,  is 
tnatuving  for  operation.     I  have  communicated  noth- 
ing of  this  project  to  Mr.  Nissen,   he  not  having  a 
cypher  corresponding  with  mine,  and  it  being  danger- 
ous to  commit  it  to  an  intelligible  character  :  he   ap- 
pears  totally  uninformed  of  it, 

Tliis  Regency  is  creating  new  demands  on  us.  I 
shall  detail  them  seasonably,  if  necessary.  '  Among 
fbem  the  oris;inal  demand  for  a  vessel  of  war. 


GEN.    EATON,  ^5 

fixTBACT  :  To  Gen.   S.\  Smith,  Baltimore^  Mem- 
ber of  Congress. 

Tunis,  Aug,  Wh,  1808. 
ABOUT  the  time  the  Bashaw  of  Tripo- 
li'had  fixed  his  resolution  to  declare  war  against  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Cathcart,  our  Consul  near  that 
Regency,  suggested  to  me,  that  Mahamet  Bashaw, 
brother  of  the  reigning  Bashaw,  to  whom  the  sub- 
jects of  that  Regency  were  very  much  attached,  be- 
ing the  rightful  sovereign  and  then  in  Tunis,  having 
been  treacherously   driven   from   the   throne   some 
years  ago,   might   be  used  as  an  instrument  in  the 
bands  of  the  United  States,  to  chastise  the  temerity 
of  the  usurper,   reestablish  himself,   and   effect   a 
cheap,  honorable,  and  permanent  peace  to  our  coun- 
try.    I  immediately  entered  into  a  coneertation  with 
the   exiled  Bashaw  to  this  effect :  and  he   gave  me 
such  assurances  of  the  feasibility  of  the  measure,  to- 
gether  with   such   collateral    information  collected 
from   other  quarters,   as  left  scarcely   a  doubt  of  its 
success,    if  managed  with  suitable    address.     Mr. 
Cathcart  suggested  the  same  project  to  government, 
and  I   reported  to  the  proper  department  tlie  steps  I 
had  taken  in   the  measure.     Last  winter,  being   in 
an  infirm  state  of  health  from  the  convalescence  of  a 
fever  which   had  reduced   me  very  low    during  the 
summer,  I  was  advised  by  physicians  to  take  a  voy- 
age at  sea.     Accordingly  I  embarked  in  the  United 
States  transport,  the  George  Washington,  on  the  13th 
December,   for   Leghorn.     Late  in  February,  infor- 
mation came  to  me  that  Mahamet  Bashaw  wai  about 
to  return  to  Tripoli,    on  overtures  made  to  him   by 
the  reigning  Bashaw  ;  who,  it  seems,  had  become 
iealous  of  him  in  his  actual  situation.     1  immediate- 
ly embarked  for  Tunis,  in   a  Danish  built   ship  of 
mine,  called  the  Gloria,  armed  with  fourteen  twelve 
and  six  pounders  ;  navigated  by  thirty   seven  men, 
chtefly  Americans  ;  and   commanded   by   Capt  Jo- 


I 

Wcf,  LlJE    OF 

sepli  Boiiuds  of  Baltimore  ;  where,  on  my  arrival,  I 
found  the  Basliaw  on  the  point  of  departure,  under 
the  escort  of  about  forty  Tripoliue  soldiers,  for  the 
province  of  Derne  in  the  Regency  of  Tripoli,  the 
government  of  which  the  usurper  had  promised  him 
as  an  indemnity  for  the  loss  of  his  throne.  My  re- 
turn to  Tunis  and  arguments  which  I  used,  deter- 
mined the  Basliaw  to  change  his  resolution,  and 
seek  some  secuve  asylum  until  the  arrival  of  the  A- 
merican  squadron.  But  the  Bey  of  Tunis,  whether 
suspicious  of  what  was  on  foot,  or  from  what  other 
motives  I  know  not,  had  refused  him  further  sup- 
plies in  liis  Regency.  His  departure  therefore,  had 
become  a  matter  of  necessity.  I  wished  him  to  go 
to  Leghorn  and  put  himself  into  the  hands  of  Mr, 
Cathcart  :  but,  surrounded  with  Turkish  subjects  of 
his  brother,  as  he  was,  left  it  not  optional  with  him  : 
and,  though  apprehensive  of  treachery  on  the  part  of 
his  brother,  he  seemed  to  have  no  alternative  but  to 
submit  to  his  destiny.  Yet  he  expressed  a  desire 
by  some  means  to  be  thrown  into  the  hands  of  the 
Americans.  Here  being  none  of  our  ships  of  war 
in  the  vicinity,  1  dispatched  Capt.  Bounds  to  the 
Boston  frigate^  Capt.  M'NicU,  being  tlie  only  com- 
mander on  the  coast,  witli  a  statement  of  fiicts  ;  who 
embraced  t!ie  project  and  sent  Capt.  Bounds  back 
to  me  with  instructions  to  hold  the  Gloria  in  service, 
at  VL\j  disposition,  until  the  arrival  of  the  Commo- 
dore. In  the  mean  time,  before  the  Bashav/  sailed, 
I  obtained  secret  intelligence  from  tliis  Bey's  Prime 
Minister  that  the  object  of  the  usurper  was  to  get 
possession  of  his  brotlier  in  order  to  destroy  him.  I 
immediately  communicated  tliis  intelligence  to  the 
Bashaw,  who  had  now  already  embarked  for  his 
passage,  and  brought  him  to  a  resolution  to  go  to 
Malta,  and  there  wait  the  arrival  of  our  Commodore, 
with  whom  he  might  proceed  before  Tripoli  and  de- 
mand the  restitution  of  his  Regency  ;  as  he  had  as- 
surances that,  in  such  case,  the  subjects  in  general, 
who  are  much  dissatisfied  with  the  war,  would  revolt 


GEN.    EATOK.  SS 


'  in  his  forVov  and  deliver  tlie  usurper  into  his  hands. 
Accordingly,  under  a  pretext  of  evading  tiie  Swede 
and  American  frigates,  he  prevailed  on  his  attend- 
ants to  touch  at  Malta.  This  plan  being  arranged, 
I  ordered  Capt.  Bounds  to  Gibraltar,  with  dispatch- 
es to  the  government  and  Commodore,  stating  tliis 
position  of  affairs.  He  there  fell  in  with  the  Con- 
stellation, Capt.  Murray  ;  v/lio,  after  having  previ- 
ously read  my  communications,  and  consulted  with 
Captains  S.  Barron  and  Bainbridge,  discarded  the 
project,  and  dismissed  my  ship  \v'it\i  marks  of  point- 
ed disapprobation.  Mahamet  Bashaw,  faithful  to 
liis  engagements,  discharged  his  sliip  at  j>lalta,  un- 
der the  same  pretext  which  took  him  to  that  port ; 
and  has  remained  there  ever  since.  But,  though  he 
has  had  an  interview  with  Capt.  M'Niell  who  coun- 
selled him  to  persevere  in  the  project,  he  has  receiv- 
ed no  succour,  nor  even  countenance  from  the  gen- 
tleman now  in  command  (Capt.  Murray.)  The  cir- 
cumstance of  his  secure  position,  however,  has  excit- 
ed such  alarm  in  the  apprehensions  of  the  reigning 
Bashaw,  that  he  has  actually  called  to  the  defence 
of  his  city  such  of  the  Arabs  of  liis  kingdom  as  are 
attached  to  his  interest,  and,  to  insure  their  fidelity, 
confined  their  chiefs  within  his  walls.  This  fact, 
together  with  the  solicitude  of  the  usurper  to  get  pos- 
session of  his  brother's  person,  go  to  demonstrate 
the  correctness  of  our  calculations  on  this  project,  if 
suitable  advantage  had  lieen  taken  of  the  position  it 
offered.     I  hope  the  occasion  is  not  lost. 

To  Mr.  Madisox. 

Tuitis,  .higiisf  %M,  1S03. 
OUR  operations  of  the  last  and  present 
year  produce  nothing  in  effect  but  additional  enemies 
and  national  contempt.  If  the  same  system  of  op- 
erations continue,  so  will  the  same  consequences. 
The  obstinate  posture  and  affected  indifference  to 
fiienace,   which   have   hitherto  been  jny  talisnien  ici 


g§3  XilFE    OF 

lieu  of  solid  argument  here,  no  longer  avail.     The 
Minister  puifs    a  whistle    in   my   face,  and   says ;, 
t  '^  We  find  it  is  all  a  puff  !  We  see  how  you  carry 
on  the  war  with  Tripoli  !" 

I  have  never  ceased  to  give  the  alarm  in  due  sea- 
son :  to  suggest  such  measures  as  seemed  to  mc  in- 
dispensible  to  parry  serious  mischief ;  aud  to  point 
out  what  I  believed  would  be  the  consequence  of 
neglecting  that  advice.  I  have  now  the  melancholy 
reflection  that  my  apprehensions  have  been  but  too 
well  founded,  and  my  predictions  but  too  accurate. 

My  exile  is  become  insupportable  here.  Aban- 
doned by  my  countrymen  in  command ;  no  advice 
from  government  to  regulate  my  conduct  ;  and  my 
own  exertions  failing  of  effect ;  I  am  left  subject, 
though  not  yet  submissive,  to  the  most  intolerable 
abuse  and  personal  vexation.  Anxiety,  perplexity 
and  a  climate  unfavorable  to  my  constitution,  waste 
my  health.  The  position  I  have  taken  and  held  with 
this  Bey  in  regard  to  passports  for  his  merchantmen 
for  Tripoli,  has  excited  a  temper  and  disposition  in 
this  court  to  distress  me  in  my  personal  concerns. 
I  have  frequently  stated  that  my  salary  is  an  inade- 
quate support.  The  check  which  Capt.  Murray 
thought  proper  to  put  on  my  public  measures  has 
not  less  affected  my  public  character.  Thus  situat- 
ed, I  am  consuming  life,  property,  aud,  perhaps, 
public  reputation  here,  without  the  consoling  pros- 
pect of  having  the  merit  of  being  useful  to  my  coun- 
try. Why  should  I  remain  at  a  post  which  is  no 
longer  tenable  ?  Again,  I  repeat,  my  individual  re- 
sources are  insufficient  barriers  against  the  avarice  of 
this  Regency.  From  the  first  moment  of  my  agency 
here  it  was  apparent  to  me  that  submission  to  the  de- 
mands of  this  Bey  would  only  sharpen  avidity. 
I  stated  tliis  apprehension  in  my  communications  to 
government :  it  wnn  thought  too  lively  !  My  meas- 
ures to  chastise  a  perfidious  enemy  are  now  branded, 
by  commanders,  as  speculative;  the.  effusions  of  a 
disordered  fan  cv  /  Is  it  not  enough  that  I  Iiave  sacri- 


GBN.    EATON.  SS9 

ficed   almost  four  years  to  the  service  of  my  country 
in  a  state  of  painful  sequestration  from  ail  rational 
enjoyment  ?  Will  any  body  alledge  tliat  I  have  not 
discharged  my  duty  with  an  upright  zeal  ?  And  are 
such  the  rewards  of  my  services  ?  To  be   branded 
unheard  in  my  own  defence,  and  by  a  solitary  Capt. 
of  a  frigate,  with  sjjecnlation,  and  insanity  !  This  is 
too  much  !  I  have  the  native  rights,  and  I  trrst  the 
feelings  of  an  American  citizen.     Let  Murray  leave 
to  me  my  liberty   and  my  honor  :  he  may  filch  from 
me  all  the  other  appendages  of  life  which  can  be  use- 
ful to  him.     But  blasted  as  is   my  honor  here  by  the 
weight  of  his  authority  and  the  In'eath  of  his  scandal, 
my  very  existence  is  insupportable.     It  were  impos- 
sible to   keep   these  things  concealed  here,  even   if 
they  had  been  transacted  with  less  publicity.     The 
Bey  says  ;  "  I  always  told  the  American  Consul  he 
was  a  mad  man,"  (because  I  have  not  been  his  obse- 
quious slave,    as  are   half  the  Consuls   near   him,) 
^''  and  it  appears  the  commanders  of  his  nation  are  of 
the  same  opinion  !''    Gentle  commanders  !    Ye  have 
hitherto  exhibited  no  symptoms   of  ?«flrf??f?ss  to  these 
Regencies  !    They  are  perfectly  satisfied  with  your 
moderation  !    Equally   so   with   the  blast,    in   cool 
blood,  you  have  stamped  on   the   character  of  a  fel- 
low citizen  and  a  fellow  servant  of  your  country. 

I  am  constrained  therefore,  not  less  by  a  regard  to 
the  interest  and  honor  of  my  country  than  to  my  own 
individual  interest  and  honor,  to  request  the  Presi- 
dent Mill  permit  me  to  resign  the  trust  I  have  the 
honor  to  hold  under  tlie  government  of  the  United 
States  ;  unless  more  active  operations  sliall  ]>e  re- 
solved on  against  the  enemy  ;  in  Miiich  case  it  would 
gratify  me  to  remain  on  this  coast  till  tlic  i,«sue  be 
determined. 

P.  S.     Aug.  S8. 

Yesterday  I  was  caMed  to  the  palace.     Tiie  Min- 
ister formally  demanded  of  me  a  frigate  of  oG  guns. 
Jt  need  not  be  thought  strange  to  see  me  in  America 
this   winter.     I  c^ii  neither  yield  to  nor  get   rid   of 
the  demand. 


230  LIFE   OF 


To  Mr.  Madison. 

Tunis,  Sept.  i2th,  1803. 
IN  former  comraimications  I  have  had 
the  honor  to  suggest  to  the  department  of  state,  that 
^vhen  these  Regencies  prevail  on  a  tributary  nation- 
al Agent  to  state  a  demand  to  liis  government,  they 
raise  an  assumpsit  on  this  compliance.  I  have  con- 
sequently been  uniform  iii  refusing  to  state  their  de- 
mands. Steady  to  this  resolution,  I  now  refuse  to 
write  for  a  tliirtysix  gun  frigate.  The  Bey  has 
therefore  condescended  to  write  himself ;  but  he 
conceived  a  project,  entirely  original,  to  finesse  me 
into  his  views  :  which  was,  that  I  should  make  a 
form  of  the  letter,  which  he  Avould  send  the  Presi- 
dent, under  his  signature.  It  would  thus  become 
my  act ;  and  of  course,  on  their  mode  of  reasoning, 
a  promise.     Thi«  I  refused. 

At  tlie  palace  on  the  29th  ult.  argument  was  drawn 
from  treaty  compact,  and  our  late  delivery  of  rega- 
lia, to  discourage  this  demand.  I  asked  the  Minis- 
ter, if  he  was  not  ashamed  to  make  the  demand  after 
having  received  such  valuable  presents  from  the  U- 
nited  States,  and  so  lately  ?  He  answered  in  sub- 
stance. *^  The  presents  already  received  were  mer-e 
^eace  stijmlatiGii,  M'hich  ought  to  have  been  deliver- 
ed years  ago.  We  have  forborne  with  you  on  ac- 
count of  assurance  of  the  Asjcnts  of  your  government 
til  at  they  were  always  on  the  way.  It  is  six  year^ 
fiince  youv  peace  negociation  was  begun.  We  ex- 
pected full  payment  in  a  year.  Yon  came  out  with 
nothing.  More  than  tliree  years  have  elapsed  since 
.you  finished  the  negociation.  We  allowed  you  six 
months  to  bring  forward  the  regalia.  We  have 
u  aitcd  more  than  thirty  six.  After  so  long  delay 
we  have  received  payment  for  your  peace.  But  you 
liave  made  us  no  consideration  for  this  forbearance  : 
nor  have  we  hitherto  received  any  evidence  of  the 
,veritoMe  friendshiv  of  the  Prince  of  America  :  not- 


GEN.    EATON.  ^1 

withstanding  the  repeated  amicable  intimations  we 
have  o-iven  him  that  such  an  expression  of  his  sin- 
derity  would  be  aj^reeable  to  us.  We  shall  expect 
a  different  answer  to  this  request.  His  Excellency, 
my  master,  is  a  man  of  great  forbearance  ;  but  he 
knows  what  steps  to  take  with  the  nations  who  ex 
haust  his  patience  with  illusive  expressions  of  friend- 
ship ;  as  you  have  learnt  from  the  Danes,  Spaniards 
and  others.  Do  not  you  see  the  Spanish  king  has 
changed  his  Consul  at  the  demand  of  my  master  ? 
You  may  experience  the  same  disgrace.  We  shall 
expect  tiierefore,  that  you  will  give  us  your  influence 
to  obtain  us  a  frigate  ;  though  we  have  much  reason 
to  believe  you  rather  discourage  your  Prince  from 
listening  to  our  solicitations.  And,  should  a  rupture 
happen,  and  he  be  made  acquainted  with  your  neg- 
lect  of  duty,  he  must  impute  the  cause  to  you  alone." 

To  which  I  answered.  Let  the  Bey  write  the 
President.  He  can  undoubtedly  state  his  preten- 
sions with  more  perspicuity  than  I  can.  I  shall  take 
care  to  give  his  letter  conveyance. 

On  the  Sd  instant,  my  drogoman  was  at  tlie  pal-, 
ace.  The  demand  that  I  should  form  the  project  of 
a  letter  was  reiterated.  I  had  directed  him,  in  case 
this  subject  should  be  revived,  to  tell  the  Bey  decid- 
edly, I  would  not  write,  neither  directly  nor  indirect- 
ly. He  did  so.  The  Minister  said  :  "  It  is  what 
all  the  tributary  Consuls  do.  And  the  American  is 
in  an  error  if  he  thinks  to  break  over  established 
customs  !"  He  directed  the  drogoman  to  tell  me  the 
Bey  would  sec  me  at  tlie  palace  on  the  -Mh.  Ac- 
cordingly on  the  fourth  I  rendered  myself  there. 
The  Bey  referred  me  to  the  Minister.  I  waited  on 
him  in  his  private  chamber.  After  some  interlocu- 
tion, he  demanded,  in  an  imperious  tone,  a  form  of  a 
letter  to  the  President.  I  asked  again,  on  what  pre- 
text he  founded  his  claim  for  a  frigate  ;  and  why  he 
so  strenuously  insisted  on  my  forming  the  letter  ?  "  1 
have  ah*eady  explained  the  grounds  of  our  claim,*' 
said  he.     ••  Wc  nu\sl;  have  this  expression  offriep.d' 


LIFE    OF 


sliipf  as  you  have  given  the  Bey  of  Algiers.  My 
master  is  afflicted  that  your  Prince  does  not  show 
him  as  much  friendship  as  he  does  the  Dey.  And 
he  will  have  you  Avrite,  because  it  is  customary,  (u- 
sanza.)  Besides,  he  does  not  know  what  stile  would 
be  agreeable  to  your  master.  You  therefore  must 
form  the  letter  in  a  stile  to  please  him  and  to  ensure 
our  object.'' 

I  said  1  thought  the  idea  somewhat  singular  that 
the  Bey  of  Tunis,  who  corresponded  with  all  the 
Princes  Of  Europe,  should  find  any  difficulty  in  fram- 
ing a  letter  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  ! 
Besides,  this  would  not  be  the  first  time  he  had  writ- 
ten him. — "  To  no  purpose,"  interrupted  the  Minis- 
ter ;  "  and  we  will  now  try  the  efficacy  of  your  com- 
position."  Not  on  this  occasion,  said  I  :  If  the  Bey 
writes  I  shall  send  the  letter  ;  if  not,  it  will  spare 
me  the  trouble.  "  He  will  write,"  said  the  Minis- 
ter, irritated,  *'^  and  in  the  English  language,  that  we 
may  be  understood.  We  fancy  you  do  not  under- 
stand our  letters  in  a  foreign  language  !"  He  or- 
dered the  drogoman  to  come  on  the  7th,  and  receive 
the  letter,  ^'  which,"  said  he  to  me,  ^^you  will  send 
off  by  your  ship  express  !" 

On  the  7th,  the  drogoman  was  at  the  palace  :  the 
letter  was  written  :  but,  being  read  to  the  Bey,  did 
not  please  him.  The  drogoman  was  ordered  to  call 
on  the  0th :  called  on  the  9th,  ordered  to  call  the  10th : 
called  the  10th,  and  at  half  past  eleven,  A.  M.  re- 
turned with  the  Bey's  letter,  (inclosure  B.)  There 
can  be  little  doubt  that  this  demand  of  the  Bey  has 
for  its  object  a  pretext  of  rupture,  in  case  circum- 
stances should  encourage  his  hope  of  plunder  or  of 
greater  concessions.  He  certainly  cannot  be  stupid 
enough  to  suppose  it  will  be  yielded  him.  He  is 
penetratir;^  and  subtle  as  he  is  avaricious  ;  and  has 
generally  the  address  to  cover  his  designs  till  the  mo- 
meut  of  aiming  his  blow  :  witness  the  surprize  of  the 
Danes  in  1800. 


GEN.    EATON.  ^3 

He  certtiinly  starved  Mahan>et  BashaW  out  of  his 
kingdom  to  force  liim  into  the  hands  of  his  brother* 
I  once  thought  liim  partial  to  the  exile ;  and  still  be- 
lieve him  personally  so  ;  but  state  policy  has  out- 
weighed individual  attachment. 

TRANSLATION. 

The  Bashaw,  Bey  of  Tunis,  to  the  President  of 
the   Republic  of  the  United  States  of  Amer, 

ICA. 

Sir,  President. 

Tunis,  Sept  8th,  180S. 
WITH  equal  pleasure  and  satisfaction  I 
have  seen  arrive,  and  have  received  successively,  all 
the  military  and  naval  stores,  as  well  as  the  superb 
jewels,  which  your  government  ]»as  sent  forward  for 
my  Regency  and  myself,  in  execution  of  our  condi- 
tions for  the  confirming  and  consolidating  of  the  good 
harmony  and  alliance  which,  thank  Grod,  have  been 
established,  and  actually  subsist  between  us. 

While  I  am  happy  to  give  you  this  assurance,  in- 
deed sincere,  of  my  full  contentment,  1  ought  not  to 
dissemble,  that  I  do  not,  at  the  same  time,  see  myself 
treated  with  the  same  distinction  and  the  same  re- 
gard that*  you  have  had  for  your  other  friends,  and/ 
since  I  am  equally  one,  I  avow  to  you,  with  frank- 
ness, as  I  have  already  declared  to  Mr*  Eaton,  your 
Consul,  tha.t  it  would  have  been  infinitely  agreeable 
to  me,  if  you  had  also  made  me  a  present  of  a  vessel 
of  war. 

Mr.  Eaton  not  finding  it  convenient  to  charge 
himself  with  the  communication  of  this  demand  to 
yoa,  on  my  part,  I  am  determined  to  testify  to  you 
directly,  by  the  present,  that  it  would  be  very  agree- 
able to  me  that  you  should  send  me  a  good  frigate  of 
thirty  six  guns,  which  would  add  to  the  high  esteem 
I  have  for  your  nation,  and  would  more  and  more 
cement  the  ties  of  our  friendship,  which,  on  my  part  I 
shall  maintain  firm  and  inviolable. 

30 


g3'4  LIFE    OF 

Convinced  as  I  avi  before  hand,  Sir  President 
that  this  demand,  ia^ien  into  consideration,  will  ob- 
tain the  full  effect  which  I  expect  from  it,  I  renew 
to  you  the  assurance  of  my  most  distinguished  es- 
teem, and  I  pray  Almighty  God  to  have  you  in  his 
holy  keeping. 

HAMG¥DA  BASHAW,  Bey, 
Prince  of  the  jmnces  of  Tunis,  the  city  well  guard- 
ed, the  abode  ofhajjpiness.  t 

f  Bey's  Seal./ 
To  Mr.  Madiso.y. 

Tunis,  Oct.  22d,  1802. 
THE  indignities  I  have  suftered  at  this 
court  latterly,  are  iusup[iortable.  On  the  first  appear- 
ance of  our  squadron,  this  Bey  behaved  respectful- 
ly :  he  has  grown  insolent  in  proportion  to  the  mod 
eratiou  of  their  movements  and  the  success  of  the 
enemy,  l  have  in  no  instance  yielded  to  his  exac- 
tions. But,  again  permit  me  to  repeat,  without  more 
energetic  support,  I  cannot  maintain  the  position  X 
have  taken  here  :  a  position  which  lias  liitherto  re- 
ceived the  approbation  of  every  distinguished  officer 
of  the  geneidl  government  with  wliom  I  have  had  the 
honor  to  correspond.  And,  suiier  me  to  add,  if  fur- 
ther concessions  are  to  be  made  Iiere,  I  desire  I  man 
not  be  the  medium  through  whom  they  shall  be  yre- 
sented.  The  rich  regalia  I  Iiavc  already  given  this 
Bey,  in  the  name  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  Unit- 
ed States^  serve  only  to  show  him  our  v/calth  and 
our  weakness^  and  to  prompt  his  avarice  to  new  de- 
miands  :  Three  years  ago,  I  apprehended  tliis  conse- 
quence of  our  yielding  expressions  of  amity.  The 
same  effect  will  result  from  the  same  cause,  so  long 
as  the  latter  exist.         *         *         *         *  '      ^ 

I  am  indeed  weary  of  this  state  of  exile  and  fruit- 
less exertion  :  I  do  not,  however,  permit  myself  to 
consider  any  privation  of  personal  enjoyment, 
(though  on  my  part  it  is  total,)  as  a  sacrifice,  if  it 
may  go  to  promote  the  honor  and  aid  the  interest  of 


GEN.    EATQN.  235 

my  beloved  country.  But,  let  me  be  supported  or 
replaced.  It  is  a  [U'opositiou  equally  reasonable  as 
desirable. 

To  Mr.  Madison. 

Turns,  J\rov.  m,  1802. 
IT  was  enjoined  on  me  to  forward  my 
account  by  the  return  of  the  squadron  :  but  it  must 
be  long  since  known  to  government  that  no  ship  of 
that  squadron  showed  itself  here  for  seven  or  eight 
months  previously  to  leaving  this  sea.     My  reasons 
for  not  forwarding  it  by  the  Washington,  were  stated 
in  the  letter  of  13th  December  last.     It  would  havg 
been  desirable  to  have  obtained  permission  to  present 
my  account  in  person.     There  are  items  to  which  I 
have  no  regular  vouchers,   and  others  whose   vouch- 
ers  require  explanation.     These  people  never  give 
receipts  for   presents.     I  could  not  prevail  on  the 
Bey,  nor  his  Minister,  to  receipt  ti)e  articles  deliver- 
ed him  as   the   conditions  of  peace  ;  and   I  should 
forever  have  remained  destitute  of  sucli  a  voucher,  if 
he  had   not   committed  liimseVf  in  his  letter  to  the 
President,  of  September   8th,     I  shall  forward  the 
account  by  the  first  direct  conveyance.     In  the  mean 
time  it  is  ineumbent  on  me  to  advise  go^  ernment  tliat 
the  incidents  of  my  measures  with  Mahamet  Bash- 
aw, liave  involved  an  expense  of  about  twenty  tiu'ee 
thousand  dollars,  for  the  defraying  of  which  I  have 
obtained   casli  on  credit  here  ;  and  for   the  reim- 
bursement of  which,  immediate  provisions  must  be 
made.     I  lament  having  been  the  principal  agent  in 
measures  which  have  incurred  this  useless  expense 
to  my  country  :  useless  it  would  not  have  heen,  if 
those  measures  had  received  timely  support.     The 
failure  of  the  project  will  not  be  followed  by  any  oth- 
«v  inconveniences  to  our   affairs   here  :  though,   I 
confess,  I  had  apprehensions  of  more  serious  conse- 
quences from  it.     Chagrin   would  forbid   me  ever 
presenting  this  statement,  if  I  w^re  in  cash  to  reim- 


336  LIFE   OF 

burse  the  sum  ;  but  I  have  suffered  every  species  of 
personal  vexation  the  season  past  which  barbarity 
could  inflictj  to  compel  me  into  the  views  of  this  Re- 
gency :  every  thing  which  took  the  appearance  of  a 
promise  has  been  pxacted  of,  and  extorted  from  me. 
I  have  been  literally  robbed  ;  and  am  consequently 
destitute  of  resources  here.  If  this  expense  should 
not  be  admitted  in  account  on  final  settlement,  my 
property  in  America  must  go  to  indemnify  the  Unit 
ed  States,  so  far  as  it  will  extend  to  that  object.  I 
have  the  satisfaction  to  reflect  that  I  have  yielded  no 
national  points  here  ;  on  the  contrary,  though  it 
threatened  and  may  perhaps  eventually  effect  my 
personal  ruin,  have  steadfastly  resisted  the  Bey's  in- 
stances and  exactions  :  but,  though  he  menaced  me 
in  all  shapes  to  compel  concessions,  I  find  this  obsti- 
nacy (as  he  is  pleased  to  term  it)  will  produce  no 
public  mischief  here. 

To  Mr,  Madison. 

Tunis f  Dec.  20th,  180S. 
MY  means  and  ray  resources  of  resist- 
ance are  totally  exhausted  at  this  place.  The  oper- 
ations of  our  squadron  this  season  have  done  less 
than  the  last  %  aid  my  efforts.  Only  one  frigate  of 
this  squadron  has  been  hitherto  seen  on  the  enemy's 
coast.  I  can  no  longer  talk  of  resistance  and  coer- 
cion without  exciting  a  grimace  of  contempt  and  rid- 
icule. I  am  neither  permitted  nor  inclined  to  talk 
of  concessions.  And,  of  course,  my  personal  servi- 
ces can  no  longer  be  useful  here  under  actual  cir- 
cumstances. Any  body  whose  fidelity  may  be  de- 
pended on,  and  who  is  capable  of  writing  an  intelli- 
gible letter,  may  be  of  equal  service  and  less  expos- 
ed. This  Regency  view  me  with  a  jealous  and  sus- 
picious eye.  They  say,  "  the  American  Consul  is 
an  enemy  to  the  Barbary  interests."  (God  forbid 
that  he  should  be  a  friend  to  them.)  And,  in  case 
of  a  rupture,  I  have  not  the  least  reai^on   to  suppose 


GEN.    EATON.  ^37 

the  Bey  would  consent  to  my  departure.  When  the 
commodore  and  Mr.  Cathcart  arrive  I  shall  consult 
with  them,  and  if  tliey  concur  in  the  measure,  shall 
endeavor  by  stratagem  to  get  out  of  this  country 
and  repair  to  the  seat  of  government  of  the  United 
States.         *****        -^        •* 

Notes  from  the  Journal. 

PICKPOCKETS. 

Tunis,  Dec.  27th,  180S. 
THE   superintendent  of  the    Sapitapa's 
public  buildings  sent  to  demand  a  winter's  provisions 
of  sugar  and  coffee. 

I  sent  the  messenger  away  with  this  answer. 

"  Tell  Sidi  Hagi'  Sala  Bougdier,  that  I  have  no 
sugar  ;  and,  if  he  wants  coffee,  to  treat  with  my  bro- 
ker.^^ 

I  am  Aveary  and  exhausted  by  this  kind  of  beg- 
gary. The  Bey,  the  Sapitapa,  both  their  physi- 
cians, their  chamberlains,  the  Caii  of  Porto  Farina, 
the  Schaik  Medina,  (mayor  of  the  city)  and  Aga, 
(Commandant  or  Colonel)  of  the  Goulette,  have  been 
sui)plied  with  sugar,  coffee,  tea,  pepper,  spices,  and 
indeed,  clothing,  from  the  Americaii  house,  more 
than  three  years  :  and  in  a  manner  which  excludes 
the  possibility,  in  most  instances,  of  my  making  it  a 
public  charge.  Even  the  Bey's  commercial  agent 
refuses  payment  for  coffee  and  loaf  sugar  ;  (he  is  a- 
bove  using  brown  ;)  which  he,  at  different  times, 
has  received  on  credit,  to  the  amount  of  900  piasters. 
Whatever  these  pickpockets  fix  their  eyes  upon  in 
my  house  is  good  prize.  They  will  not  be  refused  ! 
Let  me  get  away  from  this  den  of  thieves  !  The  sal- 
ary of  the  President  of  the  United  States  would 
hardly  be  adequate  to  the  support  of  tliis  house,  on 
the  present  moderate  system  of  our  economy,  with 
these  RegencieSo 


§38  LIFE    OF 

To  Mr.  Madison. 

Tunis,  March  5th,  1803. 
YESTERDAY  morning,  about  nine  o- 
clock,    Commodore  Morri?  left  the  American  house, 
to  go  on  board.     Some  altercations    between    him 
and  the   Bey's   commercial   agent,  who  had  three 
times  come  to,  and  as  often   fallen  from,   an  agree- 
ment  relative   to  the  reclamations  for  tlie  prize   in 
question  with  this  Regency,*  had  determined  him  to 
depart  without  making  a  visit  of  congee  to  the  Bey. 
He  was  met  at  the  marine  by  the  commercial  agent, 
and  detained  for  the  payment  of  a  balance  of  a  loan, 
amounting  to  twenty  two  thousand  dollars,  which  I 
bad  obtained  of  said  agent,  as  reported   in   my  letter 
to  the  department  of  state   of  9th  November   last. 
This   act  of  violence   was  warmly  remonstrated  a- 
gainst.     It  Avas  insisted  that  the  loan  was  a   transac- 
tion of  my  own,  for  which  I  was  solely  responsible 
in  my  representative  character.     I  repeated  to  the  a- 
gent  what  I  had  before  informed   him,  that  I  had 
nearly  four  months  since  communicated  this  affair  to 
my  government,  and  should  probably  soon    receive 
some  assistance  ;  that  at  all  events  the  debt  was  se- 
cure, and,  in  order  to  obtain  his  forbearance,  I  offer- 
ed to  make  him  any  reasonable  compensation  for  the 
delay.     He  rejecled  the   proposal :  asserted  that  I 
had  promised  payment  on  the  arrival  of  tlie  Commo- 
dore ;  and   insisted  on  being  paid.     1  denied  ever 
having  given  liim  any  assurance  of  payment  on  the 
arrival  of  the  Commodore  ;  but  confessed,  what  was 
true,   that  I   had  said   to  him,  I  hoped  to    have   the 
means  of  payment  on  the  arrival  of  a  frigate  from  A- 
merica.     And  I  repeated  to  him  that  I  would   make 
him  any  reasonable  sacrifice  by  way  of  compensa- 

*  Mr.  Eaton  had  declared  Tripoli  in  a  state  of  blockade. 
The  American  squadron  had  taken  a  Tunissian  vessel  bound  to 
Tripoli.  The  Bey  of  Tunis  claimed  restitution,  declaring  the 
blockade  illegal. 


GEN.    EATON.  S39 

tion,  if  he  would  consent  to  suspend  the  settlement 
till  such  an  arrival.  All  was  in  vain. — Shylock 
must  have  his  pound  of  flesh.  The  Commodore  re- 
turned to  the  American  house  ;  and  at  his  request  I 
presented  myself  before  the  Bey  and  demanded  if 
this  detention  were  by  his  order.  He  did  not  give 
me  a  direct  answer  ;  but  signified  that  it  was  under- 
standingly  done.  There  was  no  alternative  but  for 
the  Commodore  to  satisfy  this  demand  before  he 
could  obtain  permission  to  embark.  He  therefore 
addressed  himself  to  the  French  commissary  gener- 
al, who  engaged  to  advance  the  money  on  his  bills 
on  Leghorn  :  but  in  order  to  indemnify  the  Commo- 
dore I  propose  to  put  into  his  hands  in  favor  of  tlm 
United  States  an  assignment  af  all  my  property  of 
every  nature,  whether  real,  personal  or  mixed,  to  be 
applied  to  the  reimbursement  of  this  sum  in  case 
my  contingent  charges,  which  occasioned  this  loan, 
should  not  be  admitted  on  final  settlement ;  account 
of  which  accompanies  this  statement. 

It  were  desirable  that  I  might  render  myself  at 
the  seat  of  government  with  my  vouchers,  in  order 
to  make  such  explanations  as  the  nature  of  the  sub- 
ject may  require  :  but  the  Commodore  thinics  it 
would  be  too  injurious  to  the  interests  of  the  United 
States  here  at  this  crisis.  It  is  hoped  however,  this 
indulgence  may  be  gi^anted  as  soon  as  the  situation 
of  affairs  will  render  it  admissible.  I  am  now  total 
ly  destitute  of  funds  and  credit  here  ;  and  do  not 
know  where  to  obtain  the  means  of  daily  subsist- 
ence. 

The  Commodore  and  other  gentlemen  of  rank  in 
the  squadron  have  expressed  to  me  their  entire  ap- 
probation of  my  public  agency  and  general  measures 
at  this  Regency  :  but  the  events  of  yesterday  seem 
to  have  excited  some  unpleasant  sensations.  I  could 
have  no  apprehension  of  such  an  event.  It  was  im- 
possible to  apprehend  that  the  respect  attached  tD 
the  person  of  the  Commodore  would  be  violated.  It 
is  unprecedented,  even  in  the  history  of  Barbary  out- 
rage. 


^0  LIFE    OF 

P.  S.     March  6. 

This  raorniiig  the  Commodore,  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Cathcart,  Capt.  Rogers  and  myself,  waited  on 
the  Bey  at  the  palace.  After  having  come  to  a  final 
arrangement  in  the  affair  of  the  prize,  by  the  Com- 
modore's engagement  to  cause  all  Tunissian  proper- 
ty to  be  restituted,  the  subject  of  the  loan  before 
mentioned  was  brought  forward.  The  question  was 
asked  the  Bey  whether  the  Commodore  was  arrested 
by  his  order  ?  He  answered  evasively  ;  by  saying  it 
was  not  customary  for  a  Commodore  ever  to  depart 
without  making  him  a  visit  of  congee  ;  and  that  he 
had  been  informed  carriages  were  ready  for  the  pur- 
pose the  morning  of  the  fourth. 

It  is  true  that,  the  evening  of  the  3d,  the  Commo- 
dore had  concluded  to  see  and  take  leave  of  the 
Bey  ;  and  that  the  morning  following,  carriages  were 
prepared  for  the  purpose.  The  commercial  agent 
had  said  to  him,  he  thought  the  affair  of  the  prize 
might  be  arranged  without  difficulty  at  the  palace  ; 
and  that  delay  might  be  obtained  for  the  payment  of 
this  balance  by  engaging  the  good  offices  of  the  Min- 
ister. But  the  equivocal  and  suspicious  behavior  of 
the  government  relative  to  the  prize  reclamations,  as 
stated  in  my  report  of  yesterday,  had  determined  the 
Commodore  to  go  on  board  ;  to  make  his  further 
communications  with  the  palace  througli  the  medium 
of  the  consulate  ;  and  to  leave  to  me  the  adjustment 
of  this  balance.     His  detention  was  the  consequence. 

I  ceuld  not  forbear  remonstrating  in  pointed  and 
animated  terms  witii  the  Bey  against  this  national 
indignity  and  breach  of  hospitality.  I  stated  to  liim 
the  meaus  I  possessed  to  meet  this  debt.  That  I 
had  already  informed  my  government  of  the  circum- 
stances of  the  case  ;  and  that  answers  could  not  now 
be  long  in  arriving.  That  I  had  reason  to  suppose 
the  contidence  always  manifested  on  liis  part  towards 
me,  and  the  integrity  of  my  conduct  towards  liim, 
would  have  shielded  me  against  this  wound  to  my 
feelings  and  reputation.     That  this  loan,  as  he  well 


QEN.    EATON. 


^i 


knewj  had  originated  in  measures  altogethei*  compul- 
sory ;  that  I  had  given  a  premium  of  two  thousand 
dollars  to  obtain  it ;  and  that  I   had  been  impeded 
from  a  more  seasonable  payment  by  reason  of  the  in- 
iquity r  had  experienced  at   his  court  ;  especially 
the  absolute  frauds  of  his  Minister,  who  had  literally 
robbed  me.     The  Sapitapa,  aiFecting  to  be  affronted 
at  this  charge,  as  usual  in  all  cases  when  resisted  or 
reproached,   accused   me  of  being  mad.     And  the 
Bey,  taking  an  interest  in  his  cause,  ordered  me  im- 
mediately to  quit  his  court.    I  answered — It  is  well  / 
I  am  not  dissatisfied  to  quit  a  court  where  I  have  ex- 
perienced little  else  than   violence   and   indignity. 
But  demanded  of  him  to  state  his  objections  to  my  a- 
gency  ;  and,  if  he  had  found  mc  unjust,  to  declare 
it.     Addressing   himself  to  the  Commodore,  he  an;- 
swered. — "  The  Consul  is  a  man  of  a  good  heart, 
but  a  wrong  head.     He  is  too  obstinate  and  too  vio- 
lent for  me.     I  must  have  a  Consul  with  a  disposi- 
tion  more  congenial   to  Barbary  interests  P^  When 
asked  in  what  I  had  offended  ?  He   said,  I  had  vio- 
lated the  laws  of  his  country  by  bastinading  his  sub- 
jects :  and  named  Famin,  another   Christian  and  a 
Jew.     I  acknowledged  that  1  had,  three  years  ago, 
chastised  Famin.     But   I  denied   that  he  was   his 
subject ;  though  I  knew  him  his   voluntary  slave  ! 
His  conduct  towards  nie  had  merited  chastisement  ! 
it  had  been  treacherous,  dishonest  and  base.     Find- 
ing no  other  means  of  justice  I  had  used  the   disci- 
pline which  I  would  again  use  in  similar  circumstan- 
ces. x\s  to  the  Jew,  I  was  not  in  the  habit  of  patiently 
taking  an   insult  in  ray  own  liouse  from  any  man  ; 
much  less  from  an  Algcrine  Jew.     The  other  affaii' 
had    been   misstaied   to  him.     As  it   respected  my 
publlc  agency  I  was  conscious  of  not  having  bee'ri 
wanting  in  point  of  duty  nur  in  my  respect  to  him- 
self as  a  prince.     The  Bey  acknowledged  it.    I  reit- 
erated to  him  that  I  had  suffered  every  species  of  in- 
jury,  outrage  and  indi!!;niiy  in  his  Regency  ;  .and  I 
thankf^d  him   unieignedlv  for  ordering  me  out  of  it. 


243  LIKE    OF 

I  should  at  least  leave  behind  me  the  impression  tllatr 
I  was  not  his  slave,  and  that  it  was  not  in  the  nature 
of  things  to  reduce  me  to  that  situation.  I  gave  him 
my  hand  and  wished  liim  well.  He  reciprocated 
the  wish.  I  shall  embark  in  the  squadron.  Doc- 
.tor  George  Davis,  of  New  York,  will  remain  charged. 

March  Qth.  The  Commodore  embarked  the  sev- 
enth and  sent  the  balance  of  my  obligation  from  or 
board.  I  shall  quit  this  sink  of  treachery  tomorrow, 
and  repair  immediately  to  the  seat  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  where  I  hope  to  render  a 
satisfactory  account  of  my  four  years  agency  here. 

I  think  it  worthy  remark,  that  yesterday  the  chi^' - 
alier  de  Barthes  said  to  me  in  presence  of  Capt. 
Rodgers,  he  had  discovered  that  the  Bey  had  medi- 
tated other  exactions,  which  he  intended  forcing  c:i 
the  Commodore,  but  that  he  had  desisted  from  his 
projects  by  reason  of  being  informed  that  the  French 
commissary  general  had  interested  himself  in  the  af- 
fairs of  the  Americans.  That,  confounded  at  this 
information,  he  hud  thought  it  prudent  to  change  his 
views. 

On  the  iOth  of  March,  Mr.  Eaton  left  Tunis  2 
and  on  the  20th,  arrived  at  Algiers.  The  next  day 
the  squadron  sailed  for  Gibralter,  v/liere  it  arrived 
on  the  S3d.  On  the  30th  of  the  same  month,  Mk. 
EAf  ox  embarked  on  board  a  merchantman,  the  ship 
Perseverance,  bouiid  to-  Boston,  where  he  arri^ed 
May  5t]i ;  and  in  a  few  days  was  restored  to  the 
bosom  of  a  family  irom  which  he  had  been  absent 
four  years-  and  a  half. 

In  June  he  went  to  the  seat  of  government  in  order 
to  adjust  his  accounts  and  urge  the  administraliou 
to  the  adoption  of  more  vigorous  measures  against 
Tripoli,  a^  Avell  as  to  induce  them  to  sjkHction  and 
assist  the  plan,  of  employing  K«niet  Bashaw  in  op- 
posing the  reigning  Basiiaw  of  Tripoli.  A  part  of* 
his  accounts  were  of  such  a  nature  as  to  demand 
the  interference  of  Congress  ;  a  settlement  was  there- 


GEN.    EATON.  S43 

4bre  postponed  till  the  ensuing  session.  Most  of  the 
summer  and  autumn  were  spent  in  the  management 
and  improvement  of  his  farm  in  Brimtield. 

In  January  1804,  Mr.  Eaton  repaired  to  Wash- 
ington to  adjust  his  accounts  under  the  sanction  of 
Congress,  the  Department  of  State  refusing  to  allow, 
the  S  S2,000  expended  in  endeavoring  to  obtain  the 
cooperation  of  tlie  Ex-Bashaw,  as  well  as  some 
minor  claims. 

The  followins^  extracts  of  his  letter  to  the  SpeaJc- 
er  of  the  House  of  RejJresentives  merit  perusal. 

HAVINGr  gone  through  this  statement 
of  events  which  produced  the  items  of  my  claim  now 
before  this  honorable  house  ;  and  brought  into  view 
-the  most   considerable   transactions    of  my  agency  ; 
?joth  as  they  relate  to  my  exertions  to  keep  the  peace 
at  Tunis  and  to  assist  the  operations  of  tlie  war  a- 
gainst  Tripoli ;     I  beg  it  may  be  considered  ;  that, 
so  far  as  respects   the   latter,  I  have  been  but   the 
chief  acting  agent  of  a  measure  which  was  recom- 
mended and  urged  by  not  only  Mr.   Catheart,   an  a- 
gcnt  of  the  government,  best  acquainted  with  the  prob» 
abilities  of  its  success,  but  by  every  other  agent  and 
citizen  of  the  United  States  with  whom  I  could  con- 
sult, and  who  were  entitled   to  my  confidence.     A 
measure   ultimately  adopted  by  every  commanding 
officer  Avho  has  appeared  on  that  station  since  it  took 
shape  :  and   approved   by  the  Executive.     That  I 
have  takcR  no  steps  in  the  measure  but  what  resulted 
from  the  position  on  which  I  was  placed  and  the  na 
ture  of  my  duty  ;  and  but  what  met  the  concurrence, 
of  Mr.   Catheart  and   such  other  officers  of  the  gov- 
ernment as  were  on  the  ground.  That,  so  far  as  my  a 
gency  had  any  influence  on  the  measure,  it  succeed- 
•ed  :  and  that,  if  we  have  not  experienced  all  the  bene- 
fits calculated  lo  result  from  its  full  eifeet,  it  ought  to 
be  attributed  to  the  inertia  of  a  commander  or  com- 
manders over  whose  conduct  I  had  no  control.  That 
.it  was  not  apprehended  any  expenses  to  the  United 


S-W)  LIFE    OF 

States  would  accrue  from  the  measure.  But,  on  the 
contrary,  that  such  expenses  as  should  be  incident 
to  its  prosecution  would  be  defrayed  out  of  its  suc- 
cess ;  and  that  it  would  be  a  public  saving  both  of 
life  and  property  :  as  would  eventually  have  been 
the  case  if  it  had  been  prosecuted  with  suitable  en- 
crgy. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  recite,  that  my  ship  Glo- 
ria was  to  be  employed  on  this  emergency  only  till 
the  arrimilofa  Commodore  on  the  coast.  But  it  was 
impossible  to  imagine  his  arrival  Avould  be  delayed 
eleven  months  after  the  plan  was  mature  for  execu- 
tion, or  that,  on  liis  arrival  and  finding  it  in  that 
stage,  he  should  make  no  effort  to  give  it  effect.  He 
was  entreated  to  send  only  one  of  his  ships,  with  the 
agents  to  tiie  friendly  Bashaw  in  order  to  encourage 
iiis  perseverance  until  he  could  bring  the  whole 
squadron  to  cooperate  with  him.  This  he  refused  oi^ 
a  pretext  that  the  ships  were  on  short  rations,  and 
must  all  accompany   him  to  Gibraltar  to  provision. 

This  may  have  been  tlie  case  ;  but,  it  is  neverthe- 
less true,  that  the  whole  squadron  lay  nine  days  after 
arriving  at  that  port  without  taking  in  even  a  biscuit 
or  a  bucket  of  water  :  the  Commodore  was  occupied 
with  his  Royal  Highness,  the  duke  of  Kent,  solicit- 
ing a  court  of  admiralty  to  adjudicate  upon  David 
Valenziu,  the  Jew,  whom  he  picked  out  of  an  impe- 
rial vessel,  near  Malta.  It  is  true  that  the  first  ap- 
pearance of  this  Commodore  before  Tripoli  was  not 
till  the  22d  May,  1803.  It  is  true  that  during  this 
term  of  a  year,  from  his  first  arrival  on  the  station,  he 
never  burnt  an  ounce  of  powder  ;  except  at  a  royal 
salute  fired  at  Gibraltar  in  celebration  of  the  birth 
d.ay  of  his  Britanic  Majesty  ;  or  on  similar  occa- 
sions. And  it  is  equally  true,  that,  during  the  peri- 
od of  seventeen  months  he  commanded  the  whole 
force  of  the  United  States  in  tlie  Mediterranean,  he 
was  only  nineteen  days  before  the  enemy's  port  ! 

I  certainly  feel  no  inclination  to  act  the  informer  : 
nor  would  1  state   these  facts  >vere  it  not  that  those 


GEN.    EATON.  S45 

Uelmqueneies  have  iiwst  deeply  aifected  me  ;  rifled 
me  of  my  honor  ;  and,  for  oiiglit  I  know,  reduced 
me  to  extreme  poverty.  Whereas,  had  T  been  sup- 
ported with  that  energy,  nay,  with  that  integrity, 
which  was  due  to  the  confidence  of  the  government 
in  the  commander  in  cliief  of  the  expedition,  I  should 
have  saved  both  my  honor  and  my  property.  I 
should  at  least  have  saved  myself  the  mortificatiou 
of  this  appeal  to  the  equity  and  sensibility  of  the  na- 
tional legislature.  And,  it  is  confidently  believed, 
my  country  would  have  experienced  lasting  benefits 
from  my  exertions. 

It  is  presumed  tlie  project  with  TIamet  Eashaw  is 
still  feasible.  The  very,  circumstance  of  his  exist- 
ence is  evidence  of  his  liolding  a  position  formidable 
to  the  enemy  ;  for,  it  is  well  known,  a  Turkisli  des- 
pot never  lets  a  rival  exist  whom  lie  can  destroy. 
And,  I  must  be  permitted  still  to  adhere  to  the  opin- 
ion, which  has  actuated  my  conduct  in  this  affair, 
that  it  is  the  most  eligible  way  pf  securing  a  perma- 
nent peace  with  that  iiegency  ;  for  there  is  ?io  faith 
in  treaties  tvith  the  ruling  Bashaiv  ! 

Besides  the  impression  to  he  made  on  the  world, 
by  this  species  of  chastisement,  it  would  have  a  ben- 
eficial influence  on  the  other  Barbary  Regencies. 
To  them,  the  precedent  would  be  dreadful ;  for  it 
would  be  no  very  difflciilt  matter  in  case  of  war  t<ii 
-start  a  rival  in  either  of  those  Regencies  ;  the  gov- 
ernment of  Algiers  being  military  elective  ;  and  the 
Beyliquc  of  Tunis,  though  hereditary,  now  held  by 
usurpation.  Tliis  may  account  perhaps,  for  the 
Sapitapa  having,  after  deliberation,  seceded  from 
his  engagements  with  me  in  favor  of  reestablishing 
the  legitimate  Bashaw  of  Tripoli. 

But,  wliether  the  project  be  yet  practicable  or  not, 
it  is  believed,  sufficient  evidence  has  been  produced 
to  convince  the  understanding  of  every  one,  Avho  is 
willing  to  be  convinced,  that  the  object  which  that 
cnterprize  aimed  to  secure  was  worth  an  experi- 
ment.    With  the  discretionary  instructions  I  held,  I 


S46  I.IPE   OF 

shoultl  Iiave  thought  myself  chargeable  Math  a  crim- 
inal omission  had.  I  not  used  every  eflbrt  to  secure 
it :  for  if  a  prominent  occasion  oifers  which  might 
place  the  life  and  dominion  of  the  enemy  into  our 
hands,  would  it  not  have  been  treacherous  to  have 
neglected  it  ? 

It  may  be  asserted  without  vanity  or  exageration, 
that  my  arrangements  witii  the  rival  Bashaw  did 
more  to  haiTass  the  enemy  in  1803  than  the  entire 
operations  of  our  squadron.  Yet  the  force  sent  into 
the  Mediterranean  that  season  was  adequate  to  all 
the  purposes  of  the  war  ;  and,  with  the  favorable 
jiositions  which  had  been  secured,  might  have  put  an 
end  to  it  in  sixty  days  after  arriving  at  the  post,  had 
the  arrival  been  seasonable-  This  is  not  my  solita- 
ry opinion.  The  Bey  of  Tunis  himself,  when  hear- 
ing of  the  plan  concerted  between  the  Americans  and 
the  rival  Bashaw,  exclaimed  ^^  Said  Joseph  is  ruin- 
ed !'"  Meaning  the  ruling  Bashaw  of  Tripoli.  But 
it  is  now  pretended  the  enterprise  v,  as  abandoned  on 
the  score  of  economy  !  Oliver  Cromwel  searched  the 
Lord,  whenever  he  had  occasion  to  veil  his  sinister 
views  from  7nen  !  Kconomy  seems  to  be  the  mask  of 
the  day  v/ith  us  to  disguise  the  most  palpable  and 
inexcusable  neglects  of  duty  ;  for  it  is  hackneyed 
by  every  liypocrite  whose  baseness  wants  a  shield 
for  delinquency  ;  or  whose  jealousy  seeks  to  blast 
the  merit  of  that  vigilance  and  energy  which  cannot 
but  upbraid  his  remissness.  Hence  the  very  com- 
mander, who  recoils  at  the  prodigality  of  seeing  a 
single  ship  employed  in  the  prosecution  of  a  meas- 
ure which  might  have  decided  the  fate  of  the  enemy; 
and  at  a  moment  when  no  alternative  existed,  seems 
wholly  unconcerned  at  having  employed  the  whole 
operative  naval  force  of  the  United  States  an  entire 
year,  in  tlie  Mediterranean,  attending  the — travels 
of  a  tvoman  ! 

Let  it  not  be  inferred  from  these  strictures  that 
your  petitioner  is  an  infidel  to  the  doctrine  of  econo- 
my !  On  the  contrary,  he  believes^  but  not  in  a  mis- 


GEJf.    EATON.  '  ^47 

application  of  the  term  nor  a  perversion  of  the  prin- 
ciple. Without  the  arrogance  of  believing  himself 
capable  of  advising,  may  he  not  be  permitted  to  ask  ? 
If  this  kind  of  concern  for  the  public  weal  should 
have  influence  to  circumscribe  the  provisions  which 
the  necessary  operations  of  the  present  moment  re- 
quire on  the  Barbary  coast,  will  it  not  betray  us  in- 
to degredations  and  sacrifices  which  will  be  felt  by 
the  latest  generations  of  posterity  ?  Can  there  be  a 
doubt  that  the  Regencies  are  all  covertly  leagued  in 
the  war  ?  Is  not  the  question  at  issue  between  them 
and  us,  whether  we  will  yield  ourselves  tributary 
and  subscribe  to  conditional  articles  of  slavery  ;  or 
take  an  attitude  more  analogous  to  our  national  glo- 
ry and  i'iiterest  ?  Is  there  a  citizen  in  America  wha 
would  not  rather  contribute  something  extraordinary 
for  an  eftectual  resistance  to  the  pretentions  of  these 
Beys,  than  by  an  illusive  calculation  of  gaining  by 
withholding  those  contributions,  take  the  yoke  of  a 
Barbary  pirate  ;  subscribe  to  voluntary  chains ;  and 
leave  tlie  blush  of  ages  inscribed  on  our  tombs  ! 

Let  my  fellow  citizens  be  persuaded,  that  there 
is  no  borne  to  the  avarice  of  t'le  Barbary  princes  : 
like  the  insatiate  grave,  they  can  never  have  enough. 
Cousigti  them  tlie  revenue  of  the  United  States  as 
the  price  of  peace,  they  would  still  tax  our  labors 
for  more  veritable  expressions  of  our  friendship. 
But  it  is  a  humiliating  consideration  to  the  indus- 
trious citizen,  tlie  sweat  of  whose  brow  supports  him 
witli  bread,  that  a  tithe  from  his  hard  earnings  must 
go  to  purchase  oil  of  roses  to  perfume  a  pirate's 
beard  !  ♦ 

It  would  be  indeed  sometliing  astonishing  that 
these  pitiful  Jiordes  of  sea  robbers  should  have  ac- 
quired such  an  ascendency  over  the  small  and  even 
considerable  states  of  Christendom,  were  it  not  easily 
accounted  for  upon  commercial  principles.  It  fs 
true  tliat  Denmark  and  Sweden  (and  even  the  V- 
nited  States,  following  the  example)  graUiitously 
furnish  almost  all  tjieif  materials,  for  ship  building 


S48  L14-'E   OF 

and  munitions  of  war  ;  besides  the  A-'altiable  jewels 
and  large  sums  of  money  we  are  continually  paying 
into  their  hands  for  their  forbearance,  and  for  the 
occasional  ransom  of  captives.  Holland  and  Spain 
bring  them  cash,  na>'al  constructors,  engineers,  and 
workmen  in  tlieir  dock  yards.  Without  these  re- 
sources theywould  soon  sink  under  their  OAvn  igno- 
rance and  want  of  means  to  become  mischievous. 
Why  this  humiliation  ?  Why  furnish  them  the  means 
to  cut  our  own  throats  ?  It  is  from  a  degrading  count- 
ing house  policy  in  tl-e  cabinets  of  the  more  powerful 
nations  of  Europe  to  keep  these  marauders  in  exist- 
ence as  a  clieck  upon  the  commercial  enterprise  of  their 
weak  neighbors.  And  from  a  principle  of  commercial 
rivalship  anong  the  tributaries,  which  aims  to  sup- 
plant each  other  in  the  friendship  of  these  chiefs  by 
the  preponderance  of  bri]>es  :  a  principle,  however, 
which  ultimately  defeats  its  own  object  : — for  tiie 
Beys,  like  apostate  lawyers,  take  fees  on  ])oth  sides,* 
and  by  a  rule  of  inversion,  turn  their  arguments  a- 
gainst  the  client  who  has  the  heaviest  purse. 

In  addition  to  the  ordinary  inducements  of  the 
Barbary  States  to  cnmmit  piracies  on  our  commerce 
there  is  aijother  incentive  equally  ])owerful, 
whicii  may  have  escaped  the  notice  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States,  and  yet  whicij  affects  only  us. 
We  are  the  rivals  of  Algiers  and  Tunis  in  one  prin- 
cipal article  of  commerce  in  the  Mediterranean  ; 
which  i«  bread  corn.  Immence  quantities  of  that 
essential  life  article  are  annually  shipped  from  both 
those  ilegencies  to  the  ports  of  Spain  and  Italy,  and 
occasionally  to  other  poits  of  ChriRlendom  in  tliat 
sea.  This  article  of  commerce  at  Algiers,  as  well 
as  all  vtlicrs,  is  farmed  by  the  Jcav  lionse  of  Bocri 
and  Busnah  ;  who  are  well  known  to  h;tvc  a  pre- 
ponderating iniluence  In  all  the  alTaiis  of  tliat  gov- 
ernment. 

At  Tunis;,  the  government  itself  monopolise  the 
entire  commerce  of  the  kingdom,  in  both  Regen- 
cies that  rivalship  cannot  but  excite  a  spirit  of  hos 


GEN.    EATON.  S49 

tility  to  our  commerce  ;  more  particularly  so  as  this 
is  the  chief  article  of  exportation  in  both  countries  ; 
from  which  the  governments  receive  their  principal 
revenue  ;  and  an  article  which  always  commands 
ready  sale  and  cash  payment,  or  advantageous  bar- 
ter. 

In  case  of  a  rupture  with  either,  or  both  those  Re- 
gencies, a  plentiful  supply  of  this  article  to  those 
ports  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  a  close  blockade  of 
the  enemy's  ports,  might  bring  them  to  their  senses. 
It  would  be,  next  to  an  invasion  of  their  country,  the 
most  wounding  blow  which  could  be  inflicted.  It 
would  convince  them  that  they  have  as  much  need 
of  oui*  friendship  as  we  have  of  theirs.  Are  not 
such  the  principles  of  reciprocity  we  should  wish  to 
establish  ? 

I  am  aware  that  these  remarks  may  be  deemed 
irrelative  to  the  subject  of  this  exposition.  They 
may  not  be  found,  however,  foreign  to  the  interest  of 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States.  They  are  the  re- 
salt  of  observations  taken  on  the  spot ;  and  will 
probable,  at  some  not  very  distant  period,  be  found 
to   contain  substance.         ***** 

I  believe  it  will  also  appear  manifest  that  the 
measures  pursued  by  me  with  Hamet  Bashaw, 
Were  influenced  by  no  stronger  motives  than  an  ar- 
dent zeal  to  serve  ray  country  by  chastising  an  ene- 
my, who  richly  merits  chastisement,  in  a  way  eco- 
nomical, eftectual  and  honorable  :  that  this  plan 
might  have  been  seasonably  effectuated,  if  I  had  not 
been  abandoned  by  the  very  characters  on  whom  its 
execution  ultimately  depended  :  and  that  thus  all 
expence  to  the  United  States  would  have  been 
saved. 

It  is  hoped  it  will  be  considered  that  in  any  event 
of  the  issue  of  this  project,  but  oTze  citizen  of  the 
United  States  can  be  particularly  affected  by  it. 
One  indeed  may  be  ruined  !  But  forgive  the  bold- 
ness ot*  the  appeal  :  would  it  become  the  honor  and 
the  magnanimity  of  mv   country  to  pass  so  severe  a 

32^ 


250  LIFE   OF 

decision  on  upright  intentions  ?  Where  is  the  country 
which  ever  called  upon  a  general  to  reimburse  the 
expenses  of  a  battle  or  a  campaign  ?  If  the  expen- 
ses of  the  measures  I  have  conducted,  and  for  which 
I  thought  myself  authorized  to  apply  public  funds, 
should  be  admitted  to  my  credit,  there  may  be  found 
a  small  balance  due  to  me  from  the  United  States. 
If  not,  I  am  at  once  a  bankrupt  and  a  beggar  !  Net 
product  of  the  earnings  of  almost  five  years  exile  ! 

I  very  well  know  tliat  there  is  one,  and  perhaps, 
two,  individuals,  who  have  been  in  the  Mediterra- 
nean, who  would  be  willing  enough  to  see  this  ter- 
mination of  my  affairs  :  Individuals  who,  with  a 
view  of  shrouding  positive  delinquency  in  the  im- 
agery of  malfeasance  of  office,  on  my  part,  have  an- 
onymously come  forward  and  stamped  my  conduct 
before  the  public  with  the  epithets  of  speculative 
and  fraudulent !  Conscious  I  am  that  this  nameless, 
blushless  accusing  spirit  merits  not  the  attention  of 
a  refutation.  It  is  nevertheless  due  to  my  country. 
If  at  any  period  of  my  agency  I  had  been  actuated 
by  motives  of  speculation,  means  have  not  bfeeu 
Avanting  which  miglit  have  been  employed  in  a  man- 
ner not  to  have  been  detected  nor  evaded. 

If  I  had  received  a  tiskery  for  a  thousand  caflices 
of  wlieat,  worth  ten  thousand  dollars,  which  the  Bey 
of  Tunis  tendered  me  as  an  expression  of  his  per- 
sonal attachment,  when  he  was  intriguing  to  obtain  a 
promise  for  a  ship  of  war,  what  mortal  eye  could 
have  ferreted  out  the  fraud  ?  It  would  have  been  a 
transaction  ])etween  him  and  me  altogether  secure 
from  penetration.  The  tacit  condition  of  receiving 
it  would  have  been,  on  my  part,  only  to  write  the 
government  stating  the  necessity  of  sending  out  the 
frigate  as  a  preventative  of  war.  Tins  would  have 
implied  an  assumpsit  wliich  could  not  liave  been  e- 
vaded. — My  country  would  have  sacrificed  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  ;  ten  per  cent  of  which  would 
have  been  my  compensation  for  manifesting  a  dispo- 
sition cGns:emalto  the  Barbarv  interests  1 


GEN.    EATON.  251 

■When  the  bankruptcy  of  Jautae  and  Shwatzhap- 
pened  at  Le,^horn,  and  their  agent  at  Tunis^  Ju- 
lius Cesar  Alberganty,  was  involved  in  the  su'rn  of 
8120,000,  had  I  acknowledged  liim  an  American, 
certificates  of  which  he  held  from  our  Consuls  in  Ita- 
jiy,  Sactoris  and  Appleton,  and  thus  given  counte- 
nance to  the  pretensions  against  the  United  States 
of  the  Algerine  Jews,  who  were  his  chief  creditors, 
a  douceur  of  twenty  per  cent  on  this  sum  was  pro- 
posed as  my  commission  for  iisin^  so  prudent  a  pre - 
caution  against  affronting  the  '^  Potent  Bey  qj\ll- 
giers.^^ 

When  six  Danish  vessels  were  abandoned  to  me 
by  their  masters  for  a  sum  which  the  negociator, 
Koefoed,  acknowledges  to  his  court  not  to  be  one 
third  their  value  ;  had  speculation  on  the  misfortune 
or  misery  of  men  influenced  my  conduct,  is  it  reason- 
able to  suppose  I  should  have  rendered  them  to 
their  proprietors  for  the  original  sum  paid  as  their 
ransom  ? 

If  this  principle  had  actuated  my  agency  in  1801, 
when  passports  for  the  Bey's  merchantmen  to  Tripo- 
li were  demanded  of  me,  in  which  1  might  have  tak- 
en an  interest,  and,  in  refusing  which,  I  put  my  life 
in  jeopardy,  is  it  not  natural  enough  to  suppose  I 
would  have  sought  some  pretext  to  justify  the  con- 
cession. It  would  iiave  been  very  easy  to  say,  this 
was  the  only  preservative  of  peace  ;  and  this  reason 
would  have  been  valid  against  all  conjecture. 

And  when  this  demand  was  again  revived  in  1802, 
and  it  was  declared  to  me  that  a  refusal  on  my  part 
would  produce  a  proscription  from  the  court  against 
me  ;  do  the  sacrifices  I  made  in  adherence  to  my 
position  look  like  a  preference  of  my  own  interest  or 
safety  to  that  of  the  public  ? 

Or,  finally,  when  the  Bey  of  Tunis  ordered  my 
ship  Gloria  to  America  with  his  letter  to  the  Presi- 
dent, demanding  a  frigate  ;  and  furnished  her  witli 
his  passport  for  the  purpose  ;  if  I  had  consulted  my 
particular  interest  in  the  affair,  is  it  reasonable  to 


^52  LIFE    OP 

suppose  I  would  again  hazard  my  personal  safety 
and,  instead  of  obeying  the  Bey's  mandate,  profit  of 
the  protection  of  his  passport  to  get  the  ship  to  Leg- 
horn for  sale  at  a  certain  loss  ?  (I  sacrificed  jS7jG00 
in  the  sale  of  that  ship,  and  am  without  remedy.) 
If  I  had  yielded  to  t|ie  Bey's  demand,  or  rather  pos- 
itive order  in  this  instance,  and  the  pretext  would 
have  been  a  good  one^  the  United  States  must  have 
indemnified  me  in  all  the  consequent  expenses.  Bu  t 
the  flag  of  the  United  States  has  never  been  seen 
floating  in  the  service  of  a  Barbary  pirate,  under 
my  agency. 

I  do  not  arrogate  to  myself  any  peculiar  merit  in 
having  rejected  overtures  and  submitted  to  sacrifi- 
ces :  my  situation  rendered  it  incumbent  on  me.  But 
if  any  consideration  be  due  to  the  principles  of  anal- 
ogy, or  parity  of  reasoning,  the  inference  will  be  nat- 
ural here,  that,  instead  of  abandoning  the  public  in- 
terest to  speculative  views,  I  have  sacrificed  my  own, 
as  well  as  my  personal  tranquility,  in  a  fixed  adher- 
ence to  the  duties  of  my  trust.  Stupidity  alone  could 
admit  the  idea  that  a  man,  in  the  exercise  of  reason, 
would  forego  so  many  secure  opportunities  to  enrich 
himself  by  an  iudirect  speculation,  and  yet  create 
schemes  of  fraud  at  midday  and  in  the  face  of  the 
world.  I  have  a  right  to  feel  indignant  at  this  cow- 
ardly attempt  to  assassinate  ray  reputation  ! 

In  order  to  show  what  degree  of  respectability  at- 
tached itself  to  my  .agency  in  the  opinion  of  respect- 
able Europeans  on  the  spot,  it  may  not  be  deemed 
vanity,  nor  improper,  to  subjoin  here  a  translated 
copy  of  a  letter  from  a  gentleman  of  rank  and  con- 
sideration, dictated  by  the  impulse  of  his  feelings  on 
hearing  of  the  events  which  occurred  the  day  next 
before  its  date  ;  and  also  of  a  certificate  from  my  col- 
leagues the  European  agents,  presented  me  through 
the  medium  of  tlie  Chevalipr  de  Barthes„ 


GEN.    EATON.  S53 

r 

TRANSLATION  of  the  LETTER. 

Sir,  and  much  honored  Friend, 

Turns,  March  7th,  1803. 
WE  behold  you  then  finally  forced  out 
of  Tunis  after  having  for  years  endeavored  honora- 
bly to  support  the  interest  of  your  nation,  without 
one  moment  enjoying,  during  this  epock,  the  trifling 
consideration  vainly  attached  to  the  station  of  a  Con- 
sul in  Barbary  !  We  behold  you  at  length  the  vic- 
tim, 1  hope  momentary,  of  a  combination  of  events 
and  intrigues  the  origin  of  which,  I  venture  to  say, 
may  be  traced  to  the  peace  of  the  United  States  with 
these  Regencies  ;  whose  expedients,  unhappily  for 
the  cause  of  humanity,  the  civilized  world  despise 
with  too  much  haughtiness  and  ignorance  ;  and 
whose  ridiculous  pretensions  they  flatter  with  too 
much  patience  and  baseness.  Your  peace  with  Tu- 
nis, above  all,  was  negociated  under  the  most  unfa- 
vorable auspices.  It  ought,  with  sonfe  reason,  to 
shock  the  personal  pride  of  this  Bey,  that  the  Dey  of 
Algiers,  or  rather  his  Jews,  assumed  an  air  of  being 
your  protectors,  calculated  to  impress  a  notion  of  de- 
pendence on  the  Tunissian  prince.  This  impolitic 
step  gave  him  no  exalted  opinion  of  the  genius  of 
your  government.  And,  indeed,  your  inactive  war 
with  Tripoli  can  impress  him  with  no  great  idea  of 
your  coercive  powers. 

Never  had  a  Consul  so  tliorny  a  way  to  clear  as 
yourself ;  an  object  so  difficult  of  attainment.  He, 
who  had  the  honor  to  represent  your  nation  on  your 
arrival  here,  by  the  slavish  and  cringing  part  he  act- 
ed at  this  court,  had  the  means  and  the  baseness  to 
sell  your  interests  ;  the  chief  source,  in  my  opinion, 
to  which  you  may  ascribe  your  subsequent  political 
embarrassments. 


SS-i  LIFE    OF 

Is  it  possihlc  to  doubtj  a  single  moment,  the  unfa- 
vorable opinion  this  man  impressed  on  the  Bey,  of 
your  government  ! 

I  will  not  conceal  what  I  observed  at  the  time  of 
negociating  your  treaty,  tliat  the  Bey  of  Tunis  is  not 
establishing  a  peace  icith  the   United  States  ;  it  is  a 
commercial  speculation  :  Famin  is  his  political  fac- 
tor^ and  will  gain  the  commission  !  I  now  venture  to 
add  ;  the  Bey  had  reason,  the  error  was  on  the  part 
of  the  United  States.     It  is  not  astonishing  that  the 
successor  of  Famin,  taking  a  position  firm  and  analo- 
gous to  the  station  he  came  here  to  fill,  should  sur- 
prise the  Bey  by  so  singular  a  contrast.     He  had  a 
riglit  to  doubt  whether  this  firmness  were  peculiar  to 
your  individual  character  ;  or  whether  it  was  that 
which  your   government  wished   to   display   here. 
Ought  he  not  to  say,  a  nation  who  begins  their  rep- 
resentation by  one  of  ?ny  minions  have  not  the  ap- 
pearance of  meaning  to  brave  my  pretensions  P  This 
inadvertence  in  the  choice  of  the  first  individual,  who 
ought,  plainly  speaking,  to  fix  in  a  degree  the  consid- 
eration whicli  the  United  States  should  in  future  en- 
joy with  this  Regency,  is  a  fault  of  which  the  actual 
consequences  prove  the  magnitude,  and  the   injuri- 
ous impressions  of  which  will  with  difficulty  be  erad- 
icated ;  time  will  demonstrate  this. 

Pardon  these  reflections. — The  idea  of  your  de- 
parture force  them  from  me.  Friendship  founded 
in  esteem  participates  the  injuries  whicli  a  friend 
experiences.  '  I  do  not  offer  you  my  condolence. 
Duty  discharged  inspires  not  such  a  sentiment. 
lam,  Sivy 

Your  devoted  and  faithful  friendy 


Marse^  two  leagues  from  Tunis. 


.  To  William  Eaton,  Esq. 

Consul  of  the  United  States,  ^c. 


GEN.    EATON.  255 

# 

TRANSLATION  of  the  CERTIFICATE. 

^^  WE  the  undersigned  Consuls  and  a- 
gents  of  the   European  governments,  at  the  Regency 
of  Tunis,  certify,  that  Mr.  William  Eaton,  Con- 
sul of  the   United  States  of  America,  has,  on  every 
occasion,  supported  the  rights  of  his  nation  with  dig- 
nity and  integrity.     It  is  with  pleasure  we  give  him 
this  testimony  of  the  truth  and  of  our  friendship. 
Bone  at  Tunis,  the  iOth  March,  1803. 
Signed,   A.  NYSSEN,   Consul    General  of  the 
Bat  avian  Republic. 
DEVOISE,   Commissary  General  and 
charge  of  affairs  of  the  French  Repub- 
»  lie,  near  the  Bey. 

^         HENRY  CLARK,  British  charge  of 
§  affairs. 

^         JOSEPH  NODRIEZ,  Constd  Gener- 
al, and  charge  of  affairs  of  his  Cathol- 
ic Majesty. 
HOLCK,   His  Danish  Majesty^a   Con- 
sul General. 

I  ask  nothing  of  my  country  but  reciprocal  sup- 
port. 

Accept,  Sir,  the  assurance 
of  my  profound  respect, 
WILLIAM  EaTON. 
City  of  Washington,  Feb.  iQth,  1804. 

N.  B.  Touching  at  Algiers,  Consul  O^Bricu 
came  on  board.  He  expressed  surprize  at  seeing  me. 
I  sketched  to  him  the  event  of  my  congee  at  Tunis. 
He  said  he  had  apprehended  a  squall  :  and  express- 
ed his  reasons  :  which  he  reduced  to  writing,  as  fol- 
lows. 

"  This  will  certify',  that,  in  October  1802,  a  re- 
spectable  Jew  merchaut  from  Tunis  declared  to  me, 
and  in  the   presence   of  Bocri  and  Busnah  of  Al- 


S56  LIFE    OP 

giers,  and  also  in  the  presence  of  Capt.  Morris'" 
(Andrew)  "  that  the  Sapitapa,  or  Tunissian  Minis- 
ter^ had  declared  to  the  said  JevVj  that  he  would  work 
the  destruction  of  the  American  Consul  at  Tunis. 
The  Jew  further  added,  that  the  Sapitapa  said,  he 
was  determined  to  have  an  American  Consul  more 
pliable  to  his  views. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  20th  day  of  Mar  oh  ^ 
1803. 

(SignedJ     RICHAUD  O'BRIEN.^' 

Mr.  Eaton's  accounts,  however,  were  not  wholly 
adjusted  this  session.  In  April  he  was  appointed 
navy  agent  of  the  United  States,  for  the  several 
Barbary  powers,  with  the  view  of  going  forward  to 
Hamet  Bashaw,  to  aid  the  operations  of  the  United 
States'  squadron  against  the  ruling  Bashaw  of  Trip- 
oli. 

^  In  June  he  embarked  on  board  the  frigate  John 
Adams,  in  company  with  the  President,  the  Con- 
gress, the  Essex  and  the  Constellation,  all  in  commis- 
sion for  the  Mediterranean  service,  under  Commo- 
dore Samuel  Barron,  and  Captains  Rodgers^  J.  Bar- 
ron, Campbell  and  Chauncey. 

M  sea  Mr.  Eaton  wrote    the  folloiving  letter  to 
Col.  Dwight  of  Springfield. 

To  Col.  Dwight. 

Extract  of  a  letter  C  of  instructions  J  from  the  Secre- 
tary of  State  to  James  Leander  Cathcart,  dated 
April  m,  1803. 

"  MY  last  to  you  was  of  August  22d, 
1803.  It  was  then  hoped  you  would  liave  been  suc- 
cessfully engaged  in  making  peace  M'ith  Tripoli,  for 
which  the  crisis  was  peculiarly  favorable.  The 
course  of  circumstances  having  deprived  us  of  the 
advantages  of  this  crisis,  to  which  the   tenor  of  your 


GEN,    EATON.  20/ 

official  instructions  was  adopted,  the  President  lias 
thought  proper  to  review  them  with  an  eye  to  the 
charge  in  the  state  of  things  under  which,  if  peace 
be  still  unmade,  the  negociations  for  it  must  still  be 
carried  on.  And  considering  that  the  Bashaw  is  no 
longer  under  the  domestic  distresses,  which,  at  one 
time,  humbled  his  pretensions  ;  that  all  the  other 
mitions  at  war  with  him,  have  yielded  to  the  cus- 
tomary terms  of  peace  ;  and  tliat  the  new  terms, 
which  the  concurrent  policy  of  all  civilized  nations 
ought  to  force  on  these  Barbarians,  would  now  be 
pursued  by  the  United  States  at  a  very  great  ex- 
pense, not  only  without  the  cooperation  of  a  single 
other  power,  but  in  opposition  to  the  example  of  all, 
and  at  a  period,  in  difiPerent  respects  critical  to  their 
aifairs,  it  is  thought  best  that  you  should  not  be  tied 
down  to  avpfusal  of  presents,  whether  to  be  includ- 
ed in  the  peace,  or  to  be  made  from  time  to  time 
during  its  continuance. — Especially  as  in  the  latter 
case  the  title  to  the  presents  will  be  a  motive  to  its 
continuance ;  to  admit  that  the  BashaAV  shall  receive^ 
in  the  first  instance,  including  the  consular  present, 
the  sum  of  S0,000  dollars  and  at  the  rate  aftenvards 
of  eight  or  ten  thousand  dollars  a  year. 

If  these  sums  can  be  reduced,  you  will,  of  course, 
avail  yourself  of  the  opportunity.  But  no  enlarge- 
ment of  them  towards  the  examples  of  other  nations 
will  be  admissible  :  especially  if,  at  the  date  of  the 
negociations,  none  of  our  citizens  should  be  in  cap- 
tivity. 

The  presents,  whatever  the  amount  or  the  pur- 
pose of  them,  (except  the  consular  present,  which,  as 
usual,  may  consist  of  jewelry,  cloth,  &c,)  must  be 
made  in  moneys  and  not  in  stores  :  and  also  the  pe- 
riodical payments  are  to  be  biennial  rather  than  annu- 
al ;  and  tlie  arrangement  of  iJie  presents  is  to  form 
JVO  FART  of  the  PUBLIC  TREATY/if  2i  pri- 
vate promise  and  understanding  can  be  substituted. 
The  Dey  of  Algiei's  being  inflexible  in  refusing 
to  receive  you  as  Consul,  the  President  has  not  deem- 


g58  LIFE   OF 

ed  it  proper,  especially  under  present  circumstances^^ 
to  contest  a  right  possessed  and  occasionally  exer- 
cised by  all  governments,  and  Avill  therefore  with- 
out delay,  send  another  successor  to  Mr.  O'Brien. 
He  reserves  to  you,  however,  the  Consulate  at  Tu- 
nis ;  which  was  your  first  object,  and  which  Mu. 
Eat  on  has  signified  his  purpose  of  leaving.  Your 
commission  is  herewith  inclosed,  with  a  letter  from 
the  President  to  the  Bey. 

It  is  foreseen  that  the  Bey  of  Tunis  will  expect  to 
receive  periodical  presents,  in  like  manner  as  the 
Bashaw  of  Tripoli  ;  and  we  are  prepared  to  arrange 
them.  He  has  made  several  demands  of  presents 
from  the  United  States,  and  last  of  all  a  frigate. 
These  have  generally  been  declined  on  our  part, 
and  we  are  determined  to  withhold  the  latter  ;  but 
the  circumstance  may  be  glanced  at,  as  our  motive 
for  proposing  the  periodical  payments,  by  which  we 
v/ish  at  once  to  manifest  our  good  will  and  liberali- 
ty to  the  Regency  ;  to  give  him  an  interest  in  pre- 
serving peace  ;  and  to  regulate  at  a  fixed  rate  what 
is  now  so  uncertain  as  to  its  demands. 

It  is  believed  also,  that  if  other  circumstances  are 
propitious,  it  will  be  eligible  to  settle  tlie  acceptance 
of  them  by  Tunis,  at  a  moderate  rate,  as  a  prelimina- 
ry to  tlie  negociation  with  Tripoli,  since  it  will  quiet 
the  former  Regency  ;  aiford  a  scale  for  settling  with 
the  latter  }  and  anticipate  a  limit  to  the  proposal  the 
Eey  might  otherwise  make  by  refering  to  the  prece- 
dent set  with  respect  to  Tripoli.  The  sum  to  Le 
allowed  Tunis  is  to  be  payable  in  cash,  and  not  to 
exceed  the  rate  of  S  10,000  per  annum,  to  be  paid 
biennially,  if  it  can  be  so  settled.*'  &c. 

Mr.  Cathcart  proceeded  to  Tunis  wilh  these  terms 
and  a  consular  present,  some  time  in  the  summer  of 
1803  ;  but  tlie  Consul  and  the  terras  were  both  re- 
jected by  the  Bey.  It  appears  Mr.  Cathcart  \\  rote 
tlie  Bey  from  on  board,  after  having  left  the  king- 
dom, or  while  at  anchor  in  the  road  of  Tunis,  in 
terms  at  which  bis  Excellency  felt  his  piratical  dig  .^ 


GEN.    EATON.  259 

liity  insulted,  and  on  wliich  account  he  memorializ- 
ed the  President  of  the  United  States. 

In  consequence  of  which  the  President  wrote  the 
Bey. 

'^'  Thomas  Jefferson,  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  to  the  Most  Illustrious 
and  Most  Magnificent  Prince,  the  Bey  of 
Tunis. 

Great  and  good  Friend, 

I  RECEIVED  in  due  time  your  letter 
of  7th  of  September,  repeating  the  request  of  a  frig- 
ate of  36  guns,  with  wliich,  on  a  former  occasion  I 
had  informed  you  ihat  circumstances  did  not  permit 
us  to  comply.  I  am  under  th,e  necessity  of  stating 
that  these  circumstances  continue  ;  and  that  our  na- 
val force,  being  only  proportioned  to  our  exigencies, 
we  cannot  with  prudence  lesson  it  by  parting  with 
any  portion  of  it . 

I  should  regret  much  a  misconception  of  our  mo- 
tives on  tlijs  occasion.  We  set  a  just  value  on  your 
friendship,  as  we  do  on  that  of  all  other  nations  with 
whom  we  have  intercourse,  and,  as  we  presume  they 
do  on  ours. 

These  mutual  friendships,  and  the  interests  aris- 
ing out  of  them,  are  equivalents,  the  one  for  the  oth- 
er ;  and  authorize  equal  claims  and  rights  on  both 
sides. 

Of  our  dispositions  towards  yourself  in  particular, 
we  have  not  been  wanting  in  proofs,  in  addition  to 
the  faithful  fulfilment  of  our  treaty  ;  nor  shall  we, 
on  proper  occasions,  fail  to  continue  reasonable  man- 
ifestations of  them,  according  to  the  rules  we  observe 
in  our  intercourse  with  nations. 

Such  being  our  regard  for  you,  it  is  with  peculiar 
<*.oncern  I  learn,  from  your  letter  of  14th  September, 
that  Mr.  Cathcart,  whom  I  had  chosen  to  succeed  to 
the  place  of  Mr.  Eaton,  near  you,  and  chosen  from 
«,  confidence   in  his  integrity,  experience,  and  good 


260  Lll'E   OP 

dispositions^  has  fo  conducted  himself  as  to  incur 
yoar  displeasure.  In  doing  this,  be  assured,  he  has 
gone  against  the  letter  and  spirit  of  his  instructions  : 
wliich  were,  that  his  deportment  should  be  such  as 
to  make  my  esteem  and  respect  for  your  character 
both  personal  and  public  ;  and  to  cultivate  your 
friendship  by  all  the  attentions  and  services  he  could 
render.  So  soon  as  he  went  out  of  this  line  he  was 
out  of  the  line  of  his  duty  ;  and  his  acts  are  disclaim- 
ed as  in  opposition  to  liis  orders.  On  his  return  to 
the  United  States,  he  will  be  made  sensible  bow  far, 
in  this,  he  departed  from  the  intention  of  his  employ- 
ers. 

The  consideration  that  the  bonds  of  peace  between 
nations  ought  not  to  be  burst  asunder  by  the  hasty 
and  unauthorized  acts  of  a  public  agent,  was  worthy 
of  your  wisdom  and  justice.  And  the  acquiescence 
in  the  transaction  of  our  affairs  by  Mr.  Davis,  until 
an  agent  could  be  sent  with  formal  authorities,  mani- 
fested a  desire  of  maintaining  a  good  understanding, 
which,  being  reciprocal  is  auspicious  to  our  peace. 

In  selecting  another  character  to  take  the  place  of 
]>tr.  Cathcart,  I  shall  take  care  to  fix  on  one,  who,  I 
hope,  will  better  fuliil  the  duties  of  respect  and  es- 
.  teem  for  you  ;  and  who,  in  so  doing  only,  will  be 
the  faithful  representative  and  organ  of  our  earnest 
desire  that  the  peace  and  friendship  so  happily  sub- 
sisting between  the  two  countries  may  be  firm  and 
permanent.  And  I  pray  Almighty  God,  great  and 
good  friend,  that  he  may  have  you  under  his  holy 
keeping. 

Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  in  the    U- 
nited  States  of  America,  this  ticenty  sev- 
enth day  of  January,  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  four. 
fSignedJ     THOMAS  JEFFERSON. 
James  Madison,  Secretary  of  state. 

He  must  be  a  very  coward  who  can  receive  an  af~ 
fi'ontrtiul  beg  pardon  for  the  injury.     The   language 


GEN.    EATON.  S6i 

of  the  Bey's  letter,  demanding  a  frigate,  was  the  Ian- 
guage  of  a  lord  to  his  vassal.  The  spirit  which  dic- 
tated the  ans,er  betrays  more  the  inspiration  of 
Carter's  Mountain  than  Bunker's  Hill.  If  I  recol- 
leet  ever  having  seen  the  effusions  of  so  much  mean- 
ness of  spirit  flow  from  an  American  pen,  it  was  in 
Chancellor  Livingston's  letter  of  congratulation  to 
Talleyrand  on  the  successful  murders  of  the  imperial 
highwayman,  Bonaparte  !  Who  can  any  longer  doubt 
that  our  exalted  philosopher  is  a  humble  Christian, 
after  having  seen,  in  so  many  instances,  his  ready 
obedience  to  one  of  the  most  mortifying  injunctions 
of  that  system  :  ^^  If  thine  enemy  smite  thee  on  the 
one  cheek  turn  thou  the  other  also  !''  But  if  "  all 
liars  shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake  that  burns 
with  fire  and  brimstone,"  as  much  as  he  hates  the 
smell  of  gunpowder,  he  stands  awfully  exposed  to 
^hat  of  sulphur  ! 

It  may  recur  to  some  of  my  friends  tiiat,  on  my 
ai'rival   in  America,  May  5th,    1803, 1  stated,  in  a 
Boston  federal  paper,  that  the  Bey  of  Tunis  had  de- 
manded a  frigate  of  36  guns  of  the  President  ;  and 
tliat  shortly  after  an  article  appeared   under  the  offi- 
cial column  of  Smith's  paper  at  Washington,  deny- 
ing the  correctness  of  my  statement.      The  tenor 
of  that  article  plainly  shewed  that  it   came  from  the 
department  of  state  ;    and  my  truth  sunk  under  the 
iniluence  of  dignified  fraud.     But   how  brazen  and 
ulushless  must  have  been  that  iiypocrisy,  which  dar- 
ed so  deliberately  to  pass  this    deception  on  the  pub- 
lie  credulity,  and  thus   wrongfully  to  lay  mc  under 
the    imputation    of  misrepresentation  ;   when  those 
instructions  to  Mr.  Cathcart  of  April  9th,  had  exist- 
ed in  the  office  more  than  a  month,  and  had  actually 
gone  forward,   with  the  acceptance  of  my  resigna- 
tion ! 

An  article  in  those  instructions  states  that  1  had 
signified  mv  intention  to  leave  the  Consulate  at  Tu- 
nis.  Accompanying  the  Bey's  letter,  demanding  a 
frigate,  went  forward  a  fair  report  of  the  resistance  I 


i^6^  LIFE    OF 

Jiad  opposed  to  the  claim,  of  my  assurances  to  the 
Bey  that  he  would  never  receive  any  further  conces- 
sions from  the  United  States,  as  iha  condition  of 
peace,  and  my  plain  declaration  that,  if  further  con- 
cessions were  made,  I  would  not  be  the  medium 
through  whom  they  should  he  communicated,  I  re- 
quested Mr.  Madison  to  make  known  this  resolution 
to  the  President,  with  an  expression  of  my  further 
determination  that,  unless  supported  in  the  attitude 
1  had  taken  at  (hat  piratical  court,  and  taken  in  strict 
obedience  to  the  whole  tenor  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  in- 
structions, /  ivould  not  serve  another  season  in  that 
station.  I  had  perceived  a  languor  in  the  measures 
of  government,  concerning  Barbary  affairs,  Avhich 
foreboded  humiliations,  in  which,  not  having  bee-n 
accustomed  to  retraction,  I  had  no  notion  of  acting 
a  part.  But  it  was  intended  these  late  instructions 
should  be  concealed  from  me  ;  as  it  was  also  that 
the  prostration  of  the  national  honor,  they  authoriz- 
ed, should  be  from  the  public  mind  ! 

The  dignity  of  the  United  States  was  laid  at  the 
feet  of  those  Chiefs  of  dog  kennels,  Tunis  and  Trip- 
oli, by  our  President's  prayers  that  they  ivould  con- 
sent to  accept  the  homage  of  a  tribute,  which  should 
be  entailed  on  our  posterity  to  all  generations  ;  yet  so 
as  "  to  form  no  part  of  the  public  treaty  if  a  private 
promise  and  understanding  could  be  substituted  !'' 

On  my  arrival  at  Washington,  I  remonstrated  with 
Mr.  Madison  against  the  imposition  passed  on  the 
public  and  the  injury  done  my  honor  by  the  contra- 
diction, which  had  gcme  from  his  office  to  the  nation- 
al Intelligencer,  against  the  statement  I  had  commu- 
nicated to  the  public.  He  evaded  the  subject.  I 
waited  on  the  President  and  the  Attorney  General. 
One  of  them  was  civil,  and  the  other  grave  ;  but 
neither  disposed  to  give  me  the  satisfaction  I  de- 
manded, and  which  common  honesty  should  have 
induced  them  voluntarily  to  render.  It  was  very 
easy  to  be  perceived  that  changes  had  been  adopted 
in  our  system  of  intercourse  with  the  Regency  I  had 


GEN.    EATON. 


263 


left,  which  rendered  ray  opinions  nugatory  ;  and 
that,  though  all  acknowledged  my  zeal  and  decision 
agreeably  to  instructions,  all  seemed  indiiferent  a- 
bout  the  sacrifices  thence  resulting  to  myself,  and 
careful  to  conceal  from  me  what  those  changes  were. 
Notwithstanding  which,  I  endeavored  to  enforce 
conviction  on  the  mind  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  of  the  neces- 
sity of  meeting  the  aggressions  of  Barbary,  by  retali- 
ation. He  waved  the  subject ;  and  amused  me  ^vith 
predictions  of  a  political  millennium,  which  was  a- 
bout  to  happen  in  the  United  States.  The  millenni- 
um was  to  usher  in  upon  us  as  the  irresistible  conse- 
quence of  the  goodness  of  heart,  integrity  of  miiid, 
and  correctness  of  disposition  of  Mr.  Jeiferson.  AM 
nations,  even  pirates  and  savages,  were  to  be  moved 
by  the  influence  of  his  persuasive  virtue  and  master- 
ly skill  in  diplomacy.  Whatever  faith  I  might  oth- 
erwise have  been  prevailed  on  to  place  in  the  proph- 
ecies of  that  old  elect  lady,  I  could  not  yield  the  as- 
sent of  my  mind  to  the  truth  of  the  data  on  which  she 
predicated  this.  But  though  I  did  not  presume  to 
contest  with  her  the  attributes  of  the  American  Baal, 
who  was  to  work  this  miracle  on  other  nations  for  the 
exclusive  good  of  our  own,  I  could  not  help  express- 
ing my  doubts  of  the  natural  temper  of  mankind,  as 
too  depraved  to  be  so  marvelously  inliuenccd  by  re- 
flective goodness.  For,  though  the  depi*avity  was  to 
boi  regretted,  it  is  a  truth  to  which  the  experience  of 
ethrj  day  bore  testimony,  that  the  voluntary  acts  of 
benevolence  exercised  by  individuals  or  nations  to- 
wards others,  if  they  savored  of  weakness  or  pusil- 
animity,  generally  produced  contempt  rather  than 
respect ;  and  invited  insult  rather  than  inspired  grat- 
itude. 

No  acts  of  the  sublimest  goodness  would  shield  an 
individual  nor  a  nation,  from  violence  and  pillage, 
who  keep  no  locks  to  their  coifer  3  nor  guards  to 
their  magazines.  Men  yield  their  homage  ratiier  to 
the  objects  of  their  terror  than  of  their  gratitude- 
Jove    himself  would   receive   neither   sacrifices  nor 


26^  LIFE    OF- 

prayers  at  his  altars,  if  it  were  not  for  his  thunderSc 
And  no  man  ever  yielded  the  homage  of  respect  to 
man  till  first  laid  under  apprehensions  of  danger 
from  withholding  it. 

My  old  pupil  was  so  wrapped  up  in  faith  of  his 
idol/that  my  morality  had  no  more  effect  upon  him 
thanj  it  would  upon  a  young  Hopkintonian  candidate. 
He  did  not  tell  me,  however,  that  the  productive 
goodness  on  which  all  depended  was  to  exhibit  itself 
towards  other  nations  by  contributions  from  our  na- 
tional treasury,  and  by  a  shameless  prostitution  of 
the:  natiouiil  honor  ! 

The  same  Spi**it  of  submission  which  dictated  the 
instructions  of  April  9th,  1803,  pervades  the  body  of 
the  President's  letter  of  January  7th,  1804.  Both 
are  so  repugnant  to  the  system  urged  in  my  state- 
ment to  Congress  about  the  same  time,  that  I  now 
feel  the  full  force  of  an  observation  made  to  me  by  a 
gentleman  belonging  to  that  body,  that '^  Go veiu- 
"Inent  would  not  have  called  for  my  services  if  they 
could  do  without  them.'' 

The  proposition  of  S10,000  tribute  has  been  vol- 
unteered by  Mr.  Cathcart  to  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli 
and  by  Mr.  O'Brien  and  Davis  to  the  Bey  of  Tunis  ; 
and,  thank  God,  by  both  rejected  as  too  triflmg  a  con- 
sideration for  their  friendship  ;  and  the  feelings  of 
the  nation  on  this  subject  have  at  length  been  so 
clearly  expressed  that  the  President  will  not  pres^  ^;  e 
to  renew  the  offer.  But  I  have  no  doubt  that  ^'  ; 
chaste  philosopher  will,  after  all  that  is  j)ast,  take  to 
himself  the  merit  of  having  redeemed  the  honor  of 
his  country  by  resisting  those  dishonorable  terms  of 
peace  with  these  two  Kegencies. 

Had  the  private  bargain  been  struck  according  to 
calculations  of  our  chief  Magistrate,  the  navy,  before 
thisj  would  have  been  removed  and  hauled  up  at 
Monticello.  He  will  now  have  the  merit  also  of 
reviving  the  navy,  and  restoring  the  credit  of  the 
national  flag.  -1  man  the  most  fortunate  in  coniin- 
gency-^ihe  most  base  in  calculation. 


G£N.    EATON.  36o 

I  am  about  to  cSiOse  f  his  long;  and  already  too  te- 
dious  letter  by  detailing  a  pvooi  of  il.j,  conclusion, 
in  which  I  am  too  seriously  concerned^"*  -^rhaps  to 
be  cool.  "  '^^ 

When  on  the  30th  March  last,  at  Washington,  x 
engaged  to  take  the  management  of  an  enterprise  ok 
the  coast  of  Barbary,  which  liad  for  its  object  the 
recovery  of  our  captive*  in  Tripoli,  and  imposing 
terms  of  peace  on  the  Regency,  by  bringing  a  rival 
and  aa  army  in  the  enemy's  rear,  the  President  and 
his  cabinet  council  had  formed  sanguine  hopes  of 
its  success.  Hamet  Bashaw,  the  elder  brother  and 
legitimate  sovereign  of  the  enemy,  having  long  since 
been  gotten  out  of  his  exile  at  Tunis  by  my  man- 
agement, had  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  an  army 
of  Arabs  at  Derne,  and  had  gained  some  considera- 
ble advantages  in  the  field  over  the  army  ojT  the  usurp- 
er. He  now  oflPered,  by  letters  to  the  President, 
to  share  the  benefits  of  those  advantages  with  the 
United  States,  on  condition  of  an  effectual  coopera- 
tion with  him  on  our  part  against  the  common  ene- 
my. The  prospect  of  success  being  then  beyond  a 
doubt,  those  overtures  were  accepted,  and  llie  Presi- 
dent concluded  to  send  out  to  him,  as  he  had  asked, 
those  supplies,  on  the  score  of  a  loan,  some  field  ar- 
tilery,  a  thousand  stands»of  arms,  and  forty  thousand 
dollars.  On  my  return  to  Washington,  May  10th, 
those  prospects  were  encouraged  by  information  of 
other  advantages  gained  by  the  troops  of  the  friend- 
ly Bashaw.  Two  months  were  consumed  while  the 
squadron  were  getting  in  readiness  to  take  its  depar- 
ture. These  supplies  were  to  have  been  taken  on 
board  at  Hampton  roads,  as  the  Secretary  of  the  na- 
vy informed  me.  Mean  time  information  arrived 
tiiat  the  Bashaw  had  retired  to  Alexandria /or  want 
of  snpjjlies.  On  the  first  symptoms  of  a  reverse  in 
iiis  affairs,  discouragemcni  superceded  resolution 
with  our  executive,  and  economy  supplanted  good 
faith  and  lionestv.     TJic    auxiliary  suppliee.   now 

34; 


sip  •      ) 

^UO  LIFE    OP 

supposed  to  be  in  r^adiness,^  uio-  withheld.  The 
President  becom'^=<refe^'vo<l.     The  Secretary  of  war 

believes  u'%^-^^^^^^^' V^y  ^^^'^^^^'  ^^  ^^^^  this  to 
me  in  Ivr^'^wn  ofRce.  Gallatin,  like  a  cowardly  Jew^ 
shv»"^^  behind  the  counter.  Mr.  Madison  leaves 
ri^^v'y  ihins;  to  the  Secretary  of  the  navy  department. 
And  I  am  ordered  on  the  expedition  by  Secretary 
Smith,  who  by  the  bye,  is  as  much  of  a  gentleman 
and  a  soldier  as  his  relation  with  administration  will 
suffer,  icithout  any  special  instructions  to  regulate 
my  conduct ;  without  even  a  letter  to  the  ally  to 
whom  I  am  directed  ;  without  any  thing  whatever 
said  to  the  coipmander  in  chief  on  the  subject  of 
supplies  ;  nothing  but  a  general  and  vague  discre- 
tion concerning  the  cooperation,  and  nothing  more  to 
him  of  ray  agency  in  the  affair  than  that,  "  Mr.  Ea- 
ton is  our  agent  for  the  several  JBarhary  Regencies^ 
and  icill  be  extremely  useful.'^  Thus  tacitly  refer- 
ring him  to  me  in  case  the  project  should  seem 
feasible. 

The  cautious  policy  of  the  President,  in  this  in- 
stance as  in  others,  is  calculated  to  evade  responsi- 
bility, as  well  as  to  secure  to  himself  all  tlie  advan- 
tages of  a  miracle  :  for,  as  I  have  before  stated,  he 
neither  sends  forward  supplies,  nor  even  makes  any 
reply  to  the  chief  of  whose  ^'iendship  he  is  willing 
to  profit.  If,  therefore,  ihe  cooperation  fail  of  success, 
he  evades  the  imputation  of  liaving  embarked  in  a 
speculative,  theoretical,  chimerical  project.  This 
will  fix  on  me.  Whereas,  if  it  succeeds,  the  glory 
of  the  enterprize  will  be  all  his  own  ;  ascribed  to  his 
foresight  and  sagacity.  A  more  embarrassing  situa- 
tion therefore  than  that  in  which  this  pusilanimous 
conduct  and  sly  policy  places  me,  can  hardly  be  con- 
ceived. I  carry  with  me  no  evidence  whatever, 
from  our  government,  of  the  sincerity  of  their  inten- 
tions towards  tiie  friendly  B^rshnw.  He  has  once 
been  disappointed  in  the  reliance  he  placed  in  the 
assurances  I  had  given  him  j  because  those  assuv- 


GEN.    EATON>  .t67 

ances,  though  recognized  by  the  President  through 
Mr.  Madison,  were  not  supported  by  the  Command- 
er on  whom  the  execution  of  the   measure  was  in- 
cumbent.    1  have  no   alternative  but  to  place  my 
breast  in  this  breach   rtf  confidence   and  good  faith. 
This  I  am  resolved  to  do,  and,  by  exposing  my  tem- 
poral salvation,  convince  the  ally  and  the  world  of  a 
consistency   and   fidelity   in    my    country   which,  1 
myself  am  convinced,  does  not  exist  with  our  admin- 
istration any  further  than  considerations   purely  in- 
dividual render  it  convenient.    In  these  resolutions,  I 
am  bound  to  Egyjit.     But  what  must  be  done  when 
I  get  there  will  require  the  utmost  efforts   of  my  ca- 
pacity at  expedient.     Some  expectations  are  formed 
by  the  people  of  the  United  States  from   this   coali- 
tion.    Some  confidence,  I  am   persuaded,  is  placed 
fey  my  friends  in  my  zeal  to  render  it  advantageous 
and  honorable  to  the  nation  ;    and  some   reliance  on 
'my  agency  to  give  it  shape  and  eflect.     Th.ese  confi- 
ilences  shall  not  be  disappointed.     And  though  the 
adventure,  for  I  now  consider  it  as    such,  be  as  for- 
lorn, and,  perhaps,  as  hazardous  as   any   one   ever 
successfully  undertaken  by  an  individual,  I  will  car- 
ry it  into  execution  or  perish  in  the  endeavor.     I  am 
convinced  that  our  captives  cannot  otherwise  be  re- 
leased without  ransom  ;  and,   as  an  individual,  I 
would  rather  yield  my  person  to  the   danger  of  war 
iu  almost  any  shape,  tluin  my  pride  to  the   humilia- 
tion of  ^rea^iii-g"  with  a  wretched  pirate   for  the  ran- 
som of  men  who  are  the  rightful  heirs  of  freedom. 

But  lest  this  expedition  should  fail  of  success,  and 
my  intentions  should  consequently  be  distorted  into 
a  mere  matter  of  speculation,  I  have  resolved  not  to 
accept  any  compensation  fov  my  services.,  -except  a 
sufficiency  to  cover  my  actual  expences. 

I  can  say  therefore,  as  a  Spartan  Ambassador 
to  the  king  of  Persia's  Lieutenant,  when  asked 
^'  whether  he  came  with  a  public  commission  or  on 


S68  LIFE   Of 

Jiis  own  account  ?*' — *^  If  successful,  for  tbe  public  ; 
if  unsuccessful,  for  myself." 

I  remain,  with  great  respect, 
Sir,  Your  Obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  EATON. 

HQn.  Thomas  Dwight. 

From  the  Journal. 

July  %ist.  1804-,  At  meridian,  made  Pico^  one  of 
tbe  Western  Islands  or  Azores.  Winds  had  been 
uniformly  fair  15  days. 

Sunday,  22d.  Winds  shifted  a  head.  Stood  in 
near  the  islands. 

Saturday,  28th.  Constant  head  winds.  At  Me- 
ridian, the  frigate  Congress  made  a  signal  discover- 
ing Madeira. 

Sunday,  2Qth.  Beating  with  ahead  wind,  came 
within  3  leagues  of  Funchal,  the  chief  Town  of  Ma- 
deira. 

Sunday,  August  5th.  At  i-2  Past  11,  made  Mag- 
adore,  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  bearing  S.  by  E.  winds 
constantly  a  head. 

Sunday,  i%th.  At  9,  A.  M.  Made  cape  Spartel, 
bearing  S.  E.  six  leagues.  It  is  remarkable  that 
from  leaving  cape  Henry,  July  Sth,  till  making  the 
Western  Islands,  on  the  Slst,  the  winds  were  con- 
stantly strong  and  fair  from  the  south  west  ;  and 
from  this  date  till  making  Cape  Spartel  on  the  12th 
August,  they  were  as  constantly  strong  and  contrary, 
from  the  East,  varying  a  few  points  northerly  and 
southerly.  That  the  iirst  15  days  we  consideretl 
our  passage  more  than  two  thirds  made  ;  but  that 
the  other  third  was  gained  with  difficulty  in  SS  days. 
During  the  whole  passage  the  weather  was  extreme- 
ly fine  :  not  a  day  but  a  ship's  barge  would  have 
lived  at  sea  without  danger. 

August  iQtli.  The  President  and  Constellation 
got  under  way  for  Tripoli.     Captains  Rodgers  anijf 


GEN.    EATOX.  269 

S.  Barron  with  the  Congress  and  Ess€x  ordered  to 
tlie  Morocco  coast  to  watch  the  movements  of  the 
Emperor. 

Sunday,  iQth.  S,  A.  M.  Within  a  league  and  a  half 
of  the  island  of  Alboran. — Winds  ahead. 

20th.  Oft*  CapeDe  Gat,  becalmed.  Sunk  a  queen's 
ware  plate  over  the  strern,  suspended  to  a  bog  line, 
which  was  seen  at  the  depth  of  one  hundred  and 
forty  eight  feet. 

2ist.  Delivered  my  opinion  to  Commodore  Barran 
concerning  the  apparent  advantages  of  cooperating 
with  Hamet  Bashaw  against  Tripoli  :  and  the  pro- 
bable disadvantages  of  acting  without  his  coopera- 
tion. 

If  this  plan  succeeds  (which  will  certainly  have 
the  full  coincidence  of  the  Commodore)  and  a  treaty 
should  follow,  insert  some  clause  favorable  to  the 
Danes  and  Swedes  ;  because  the  Consul  of  the  form- 
er nation  has  befriended  our  captives  in  Tripoli  ; 
and  because  the  latter  have  been  disappointed  in  the 
reliance  they  placed  in  our  alliance  with  them  in 
thi^  war  ;  and  because  neither  the  one  nor  the  other 
is  our  rival  in  the  commerce  of  the  Mediterranean. 

Thursday,  *B.ugiist  23d.  Half  past  3,  P.  M.  latitude 
N.  36  degrees  30  minutes  longitude  W.  2  degrees 
41  minutes  15  seconds,  17  miles  W.  oif  cape  De  Gat, 
felt  a  violent  shock  of  an  earthquake,  which  lasted 
about  30  seconds.  It  had  the  exact  resemblance  of 
the  ship's  keel  grazing  hard  upon  a  rock.  We 
were  at  dinner  in  the  cabin.  The  shock  was  gen- 
eral througli  the  ship  :  it  was  supposed  she  was 
aground — Consternation  seized  the  board — all  ran 
on  deck — the  ship  kept  luu*  way  and  no  appearance 
ofrocks  or  shoals  could  be  discovered.  The  Con- 
stellation, whose  Captain  dined  aboard  of  us,  we  be- 
ing becalmed,  soon  made  signal  to  speak  the  Com- 
modore  :  and  coming  up,  reported  she  had  struck  a 
rock.  On  enquiry,  we  found  she  felt  the  shock  at 
the  same  instant  it  v/as  felt  in  the  President.  A 
Spanish  merchantman  being  at  that  time  about  one 


Syb  LIFE    OF 

league  on  the  CoiUiiiodore's  landboard  bow,  a  breeze 
sprung  up  :  we  bore  down  and  spoke  her  :  she  had 
felt  tlie  shock,  and  said  it  was  very  violent.  About 
5  o'clock  we  experienced  another  emotion  in  the  ship, 
less  violent,  but  more  tremulous,  than  the  first. 

Saturday,  25th.  Off  cape  De  Gat,  a  strong  gale  a- 
liead  ;  felt  a  violent  shock  of  an  earthquake. 

Sunday,  August  26th.  Made  Cape  Falcon,  on 
the  Barbary  coast. 

Monday,  27th.  Made  Cape  Ivi,  on  the  Barbary 
coast. 

Friday,  Sist.  E.  wind,  veered  to  the  north  ;  and 
Ave  laid  our  course  for  Malta.  It  is  remarkable  that 
since  the  Slst  July,  the  day  we  made  Pico,  a  space 
of  forty  one  days,  the  wind  has  been  constantly  and 
directly  ahead ;  excepting  about  IS  hours  in 
entering  and  leaving  Gibraltar,  during  which  time 
we  have  beat  to  windward  a  distance  of  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  leagues. 

Sunday,  Sejptemher  2d.  6,  P.  M.  Made  the  isl- 
and  of  Sardinia. 

5th.  Arrived  at  Malta.  Quarrantined  :  having 
spoke  a  Tunissian. 

6th.  Mr.  O'Brien,  under  the  stern,  said  he  had 
been  to  Tripoli  and  Tunis,  by  authority.  To  the 
Bey  of  the  latter  he  had  offered  an  annual  tribute  of 
eight  thousand  dollars  to  compromise  for  a  frigate  by 
him  demanded  of  the  United  States.  To  the  former 
one  hundred  and  ten  thousand  dollars  for  a  peace 
and  ransom  of  our  captives.  Terms  rejected  by 
both.  *  *  *  *        *  *  * 

To  Mr.  Smith,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Malta,  September  6th,  1804. 
HAMET  BASHAW  is  at  Alexandria, 
in  the  friendship  and  protection  of  a  Bey  of  Egypt ; 
waiting,  as  Mr.  Pulis  informs  me,  for  answers  to  his 
proposals  offered  to  the  government  of  the  United 
States.  The  advantages  calculated  to  result  from 
a  cooperation  with  him  seem  not  to  have  diminished 


GEN.    EATON.  S71 

m  prospect  from  any  occurrences  which  have  hap- 
pened since  those  proposals  were  made.  The  reign- 
ing Bashaw  persists  in  his  demand  of  a  ransom  for 
our  captives.  But  the  distress,  which  must  he  oc- 
casioned by  the  means  he  is  obliged  to  use  in  sup- 
port of  these  pretentions,  cannot  but  increase  the 
discontentment  of  his  subjects,  and  ripen  them  for 
revolt.  For,  such  of  them  as  subsist,  ordinarily,  by 
cruising  or  commerce,  being  barred  those  resources 
by  a  harrassing  blockade  ;  and  such  as  depend  on 
labor  for  subsistence,  being  compelled  to  serve  for  his 
defence  without  pay,  will  be  very  apt  to  seize  an  op- 
portunity to  relieve  themselves  from  that  distiess, 
when  it  offers,  on  principles  so  consistent  with  their 
proper  allegiance  and  religion.  Those  subjects, 
who  were  heretofore  in  the  interest  of  the  friendly 
Bashaw,  are  still  so.  Through  these  instruments, 
I  firmly  believe,  the  enemy  may  be  taken  from  his 
sofa  at  the  same  instant  that  our  fellow  citizens  are 
rescued  from  chains.  The  only  obstacles  which 
seem  to  oppose  the  success  of  this  measure  are  want 
of  supplies  to  put  it  into  operation.  These  are  not 
in  the  fleet ;  and  the  Commodore  is  not  decided 
whether  any  construction  of  the  President's  instruc- 
tions extends  to  a  discretion  of  procuring  and  fur- 
nishing them  :  he  will  probably  express  himself  on 
this  subject  after  having  fixed  on  hi»  plan  of  opera- 
tions. 

Saturday,  September  i5th.     Went  on   board  the 
brig  Argus  for  Malta,  at  8  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Monday  J   iyth.     At   midnight   arrived  at  Malta. 
Found  the  Constitution  there. 

Saturday,  22d.  Sailed  for  Syracuse.  Commo- 
dore Preble  on  board. 

Monday,  MtJi.  Arrived  at  Syracuse.  The  John 
Adams  here. 

Wednesday,  'SJijth.  Took  room  at  the  house  of 
George  Dyson,  Esq.  navy  agent  of  the  United  States; 
a  plain,  franl:,  up  and  down,  hospitable  Yorkshire- 
man. 


gyS  LIFE    OP 

Tliursday,  27th.  The  President,  Commodore 
Barron,  arrived.  Col.  Lear  and  Lady  on  board. 
The  Commodore  in  ill  health. 

Saturdaij,  2Qth.  Sat  out  for  Messina  by  land,  in 
company  with  Commodore  Preble,  Capt.  Decatur, 
Mr.  Morris,  the  Commodore's  Purser,  and  Mr.  Ry- 
land  Randolph,  conducted  by  Lorenzo  Abbate,  a 
very  attentive  and  intelligent  Sicilian,  lodged  at  a 
village  called  Lentina,  hear  the  lake  of  the  same 
name. 

Sunday,  September  SOth.  Took  a  tour  in  boats 
upon  the  lake.  A  stagnant,  sickly  surface  exhaling 
a  foetid  atmosphere,  very  similar  to  that  between 
the  ruins  of  Carthage  and  the  city  of  Tunis  :  said  to 
have  been  created  by  an  earthquake  :  covered  with 
fowl,  and  full  of  fish,  both  of  a  wretched  quality. 
Arrived  at  Catania,  foot  of  Mount  Etna,  and  took 
lodgings  at  the  tavern  of  Lorenzo  Abbates,  our  guide, 
theonly  tolerable  public  house  of  entertainment  in 
the  place. 

Monday,  October  ist.  Yisited  the  natural  and 
artificial  curiosities  of  Catania. 

Wednesday,  Sd.  Sat  off  for  Messina,  lodged  jit  a 
village  under  the  foot  of  the  Mountain,  20  miles 
from  Catania. 

Thursday,  ^tli.  Travelled  twenty  one  miles  and 
lodged  at  a  village  eighteen  miles  from  Messina. 

October  otJi.  Arrived  at  Messina,  at  9,  A.  M. 
Found  here  the  brig  Argus  and  schooner  Enterprise, 
which  had  come  in  the  day  before. 

Sunday,  7th.  Took  lodgings  with  Jonathan  Brad- 
bert,  Esq.  navy  agent  of  the  United  States,  a  rich, 
intelligent,  respectable  British  merchant,  of  plain 
manners  and  hospitable  dispositions.  Average  div- 
idend of  expence  from  Syracuse  to  Messina,  dollars 
36,30.  Gratifications — the  society  only  of  our  own 
party  ;  and  there  damped  by  a  continued  series  of 
melancholy  proofs  how  fatal  to  human  happiness  is 
the  hypocricy  of  religious  bigotry  in  the  hands  of  a 
privileged    priesthood.      Every    thing  is   stamped 


GEN.    EATON.  S^S 

with  wretchedness  ;  whieli  nothing  short  of  an  en- 
tire revolution  or  the  resurrection  can  erase.  Bry- 
done  is  a  graceless  liar — so  is  general  description. 

Sunday,  Oct.  '25th.  Dined  with  the  Groveruor  of 
Messina. 

Thursday,  iStli.  Sailed  from  Messina.  Commo"-^ 
dore  Preble  and  Capt.  Decatur  passengers. 

Friday,  i^tli.  2,  A.  M.  Arrived  at  Syracuse. 

Monday,  22d.  Sailed  for  Malta. 

Tuesday,  2Sd.  Q,  P.  M.  Arrived  at  Malta. 

In  portj  the  frigates  President,  Constitution,  John 
Adams  :  brigs  Argus,  now  arrived,  and  Vixen,  and 
schooner  Enterprize.  Commodore  BarVon  sick  on 
shore. 

triday,  ^Qih.  At  evening  returned  on  board  the 
President. 

.  Saturday,  27th,  At  4,  A.  M.  the  brig  Argus  sail- 
ed  for  the  station  off  Tripoli. 

Sunday,  2Sth.  Entered  the  Congress. 

Monday,  29th.  Entered  tke  Enterprise  and  Essex. 

Oct.  Slst.  Sailed  the  Essex. 

Thursday,  JSTov.  2d.  Sailed  the  President,  Con^ 
stitution,  and  Congress.  Took  in  convoy  a  store- 
sl^ip  for  Syracuse. 

Sd.  Arrived  at  Svracuse. 

'Wi.  Commodore  Barron  shifted  his  flag  on  board 
the  Essex,  went  iiimself  on  sliore  in  an  infirm  stale 
of  health,  and  the  President  Capt.  Cox,  command- 
er, put  to  sea  on  a  cruise.  Fell  in  with  the  Con- 
gress about  three  leagues  from  port,  cruising  along 
the  coast. 

8th.  Returned  into  port.  Found  the  Argus  at 
anchor  ;  having  returned  from  the  cc»ast  on  account 
of  the  small  pox  breaking  out  in  lier  crew.  She 
had  been  two  days  in  port. 

JVov.  iOth.  Removed  with  baggage  on  board  the 
Argus  to  prosecute  the  expedition  to  Egypt.  About 
this  time  Capt.  Sodgers  took  command  in  tke  Gon- 
§tifation,     Capt.  Decatur  in  the  ConaTess- 

S5 


:37'i  LIFE    OF 

JVor.  14f/i.  Argus  sailed  for  JVlalta  and  Alexais- 
dria.  Left  in  port  at  Syracuse,  frigates,  Constitu- 
tion, Con£;ress,  Essex  and  John  Adams  :  bris 
ocourge. 

Commodore  Barron  sick  on  shore.  The  frigate 
President  gone  off  Tripoli  to  relieve  the  Constitu- 
tion. 

15th.   Arrived  at  Malta,  midnight. 

i7th.  Sailed  for  Egypt. 

JV'oi\  25th.  Arrived  at  Alexandria  :'  lay  off  for  a 
pilot. 

2Gth.  Entered  the  old  port.  In  port  a  Turkish 
Admiral  with  one  ship  of  the  line  and  six  frigates. 
The  Argus  saluted  the  Admiral's  flag  with  17  guns  ; 
yalute  returned  with  13.  Samuel  Briggs,  Esq.  his 
Brittanic  Majesty's  Consul  on  board. 

27th.  Argus  saluted  the  castle  with  15  guns.  Sa- 
lute returned,  gun  for  gun. 

Waited  on  the  Admiral,  Governor,  and  supervis- 
or of  the  revenue.     Most  hospitably  entertained. 

28th.  Embarked  for  Grand  Cairo  by  Rosetta. 
Lieut.  Blake  of  the  navy,  Lieut.  O'Bannon  of  the 
Marines,  Midshipmen  Mann  and  Danielson,  Mr. 
Farquhar  and  Seid  Selim,  Alii,  a  drogoman,  and  six 
servants. 

JVov.  2Qth.  Detained  at  Alexandria  by  contrary 
winds. 

30^/z.  Sailed  for  Rosetta.  At  %  P.  M.  anchored 
in  Abukir  Bay,  by  reason  of  the  day  being  far  spent 
and  the  danger  of  passing  the  Boghase  by  night. 
Took  the  occasion  of  visiting  the  battle  grounds  of 
8th  and  21st  of  March  1801,  yet  covered  with  human 
skeletons. 

I)ec.  ist.  Weighed  anchor  at  3,  A.  M.  at  1,  P.  M. 
entered  the  moutii  of  tlie  Nile.  At  lialf  past  2,  was 
met  by  the  English  barge  with  the  drogoman  of  the 
Consulate  at  Rosetta  about  three  miles  from  the  city. 
In  the  barge  was  Doctor  Mendrici.  At  3,  arrived 
at  the  landing  wliere  we  were  met  by  Major  Misset, 
the  British  Jiesident  at  Grand  Cairo,  wlio  had  taken 


GEN.    EATOIST.  %^5 

refu'^e  here  from  the  dangers  which  threatened  Eu- 
ropeans in  consequence  of  the  war  between  the 
Turks  and  Mamelakes,  which  raged  in  that  vicini- 
ty ;  and  were  by  him  conducted  to  Mr.  Patruci's, 
tiie  Consular  house.     Fast  of  Raraadara  begins. 

Bee.  2d.  Impeded  from  proceeding  for  Cairo  on 
account  of  a  Skiak,  religioas  chief,  having  siezed 
all  the  boats. 

Sd.  Engaged  a  boat,  (called  marche,)  and  laid  in 
provision  for  the  passage. 

4^/i.  Embarked  for  Cairo.  Capt.  Vincengo,  Ma- 
jar  Misset's  Secretary,  and  Doctor  Mendrici,  joined 
our  party.  Mr.  Blake  returned  to  Alexandria. 
Four  servants  with  those  gentlemen,  now  increased 
our  strength  to  eighteen  able  bodied  men  well  armed 
and  provided.  Wind  coming  ahead,  came  too  near 
the  village  Deeby's  west  bank. 

5th.  Wind  contrary,  went  ashore  :  inhabitants  op- 
pressed and  miserable.  At  11,  A.  M.  made  sail. 
Tlie  British  flag  displayed  on  Capt.  Vincent's  ves- 
sel ;  that  of  the  United  States  on  ours.  Dined  in  a 
garden  near  the  village  F'ior.  Astonished  the  in- 
habitants by  the  accuracy  of  the  rifle  shot,  having 
twice  split  an  orange,  in  three  shot,  at  the  distance  of 
33  yards. 

Dec.  Qth.  Went  on  shore  at  the  village  Sabour  : 
five  hundred  Albanian  deserters,  Arnout  Turks,  left 
this  wretched  village  on  the  4th,  after  having  de- 
stroyed every  thing  valuable  or  growing  within  and 
about  it.  The  inhabitants  apprised  us  of  a  camp  of 
wild  Arabs  about  four  miles  above,  of  which  tliev 
manifested  great  fear.  They  prayed  for  the  return 
of  the  English.     It  is  the  universal  prayer  of  Egypt. 

Dec.  7ih.  At  eleven,  A.  M.  landed  near  a  village 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Nile.  Villagei-s  fled  at  our 
approach.  On  giving  tokens  of  friendship  some  ot' 
them  advanced  towards  us  :  when  told  we  were  En- 
glish they  flocked  around  with  demonstrations  of 
joy  ;  oTeredus  their  services,  and  riised  loud  ejacu- 
jotions  for  our  estalilishiiicnt  in  the    countrv.     At  5. 


Sy6  LIFE    OP 

P.  M.  anivcd  at  the  town  of  Bulac  in  front  of 
Grand  Cairo.  By  the  imprudent  behavior  of  my 
young  drogoraan,  AUi,  and  of  my  Maltee  servant, 
Lewis,  firing  a  musket,  we  narrowly  escaped  an  as- 
sault from  the  Turks,  who  boarded  us  sword  in 
hand  ;  but  who  were  appeased  by  explanations. 

Saturdciy^  Dec.  Sth.  Entered  Grand  Cairo  on 
horseback,  accompanied  by  some  Turkish  officers  of 
distinction  ;  and  followed  by  an  innumerable  horde 
of  people  of  all  ages  and  sexes,  curious  to  see  Amer- 
icans !  Capt.  Vincents  assigned  us  apartments  in 
the  British  ministerial  house,  and  announced  us  to  the 
Vice  Roy  by  letter.  Doctor  Mendrici  waited  on 
his  highness  in  person,  and  informed  him  that  an  A- 
merican  General  accompanied  by  several  young  gen- 
tlemen of  the  navy,  who  visited  Cairo  during  the 
winter  suspence  of  operations,  to  gratify  curiosity, 
had  arrived  and  would  pay  him  the  visit  of  respect 
at  sucli  time  as  would  be  agreeable.  The  Vice  Roy 
had  already  been  apprised  of  the  arrival,  and  had 
sent  horses  and  attendants  to  receive  us  on  shore, 
and  accompany  us  to   Cairo.     Visit  him   tomorrow. 

Fiv6  o'clock,  visit  from  the  Vice  Roy's  interpret- 
er, welcoming  our  arrival  ;  offering  his  civilities  ; 
and  informing  that  tomorrow  evening  at  nine  o'clock 
he  would  receive  our  visit.  He  appointed  the  even- 
his^  because,  it  being  the  fast  of  Ramadam,  he  could 
offer  no  refreshment  by  day.         *         *^         *         * 

Dec.  \^th.  Visited  the  island  Rhoda,  tlie  Nilom- 
eter,  and  the  village  Gizek ;  all  a  pile  of  ruins. 
Palace  of  Murad  Bey  in  complete  rains. 

SOf/h  \  isited  ancient  Cairo  ;  the  retreat  and  as- 
aylum  of  the  Virgin  Mary  and  her  son  Jesus. 

Passing  the  corn  market,  the  people  there  assem- 
bled, shouted  at  our  approach,  and  as  we  passed, 
raised  loud  acclamations  and  prayers  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  government  of  round  hats  in  the  coun- 
try, that  the  price,  of  bread  might  fall  ;  supposu)g  u« 
to  be  Euglishrae^i. 


GEN.   EATON.  ^77 

Proceeded  to  the  village  Daerteen,  and  were  ad- 
mitted into  the  mosque  Atarenabee  ;  and  to  a  view 
of  all  the  ladies  of  the  village.  Omnia  vincit  ar- 
gent. 

Returned. 

Dec.  21  sf.  Engaged  in  the  service  a  German  en- 
gineer, late  a  Colonel  in  the  Tyrol  battalions,  by 
name  Eii^^ine,  [alias  Leitensdorfer.]  Advanced 
him  fifty  dollars. 

At  evening  an  exhibition  at  the  Englii-h  house  ef 
the  almee,  dancing  women.  Haggard  prostitutes^ 
disgustful,  obscene  monsters,  who  exhibit  savage  na^ 
ture  in  jestures  of  studied  and  practised  depravity  : 
something  resembling  the  Spanish  balario,  from 
which  the  latter  probably  originated. 

2Qth.  Visited  the  mountain  Catan  and  the  devil's 
coffeehouse. 

To  Mr.  Smith,  Secrktary  of  the  Navy. 

Grand  Cairo,  December  iSth,  1804. 
LETTERS  of  recommendation  from 
Sir  Alexander  Ball,  to  his  Brittanic  Majesty's  Con- 
sul at  Alexandria  and  resident  at  Cairo  have  had  the 
effect  to  give  security,  and  perhaps  I  may  add  success 
to  this  expedition. 

On  the  30th  ult,  we  sailed  from  Alexandria  for 
Rosetta,  and  arrived  the  day  following.  Found 
there  Major  Misset,  the  Britisli  Resident,  who  had 
left  Cairo  in  consequence  of  the  war  which  rages  be- 
tween the  Mamelukes  and  the  Torks  ;  and  v*']jich 
renders  a  residence  here,  at  this  moment,  both  dan- 
gerous and  disagreeable  ;  for  nothing  can  be  more 
fluctuating  and  capricious  than  the  Government  h.) 
this  country,  except  the  disposition  of  the  slaves  over 
whom  it  dominates. 

The  attention  of  Major  ]>fisset,  the  resident, 
though  it  cannot  exceed  my  gratitude,  far  exceeds 
any  means  I  have  of  expressing  i^.  Finding  him  a 
frank,  open  hearted,  generous  soldier,  I  unreservedly 


378  LIFE    OF 

opened  to  liiiii  ti!c  object  of  my  voyage.  He  took 
every  step,  which  the  nature  of  his  situation  would 
justify,  to  facilitate  that  object.  And,  to  render  our 
passage  on  the  Nile  and  stay  at  Cairo  safe  and  a- 
greeable,  he  directed  his  Secretary,  Capt.  Vincents, 
to  accompany  us,  and  to  lodge  us  in  the  English 
house. 

I  also  fell  in  at  Rosetta,  witl.i  Doctor  Mendrici,  of 
whom  honorable  mention  is  made  in  my  Communi- 
cations to  Government  from  Tunis  as  the  Bey's 
chief  Physician.  The  Doctor  was  sent  out  of  that 
Kegeucy  about  a  year  before  me,  and  for  reasons,  if 
not  analogous,  equally  cogent  :  myself  for  wanting 
dispositions  congenial  to  the  interest  of  the  Bey  ;  he 
for  possessing  dispositions  congenial  to  the  interest 
of  the  Bey's  wife.  He  is  here  chief  Physician  to 
the  Vice  Roy,  Konrchek,  Ahmet  Pacha,  and  also  to 
the  Jiritish  commission. 

Having  chartered  a  marches  species  of  schooner 
peculiar  to  the  river,  of  about  forty  tons  burthen,  on 
the  fourth  instant  we  embarked  for  this  place  ;  our 
strength  consisting  of  Lieutenant  O'Bannon  of  the 
Marine  Corps,  Midshipmen  George  Mann,  and  Eli 
Danielson,  [sou  in  law  of  Gen.  Eaton]  Mr.  Farqu- 
liar,  Sclim  a  Janisary,  AUi,  a  drogoman,  with  six  ser- 
vants, all  armed  ;  Capt.  Vincents,  and  Doctor  Men- 
drici, in  another  boat  mounting  two  swivels,  besides 
muskets,  pistols,  and  sabres,  and  about  an  equal 
number  of  people  :  precautions  necessary  to  resist 
the  predatory  attacks  of  the  wild  Arabs,  who  infest 
the  river's  banks,  and,  during  this  general  suspence 
of  justice,  prey  upon  the  defenseless  ;  as  well  as  the 
outrage  of  the  Albanian  Turkish  soldiery,  who,  re- 
strained by  no  discipline,  ravage  and  murder  indis- 
criminately every  Mhere.  The  English  and  Amer- 
ican flags  were  displayed  upon  their  respective  ves- 
sels. 

At  3  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  without 
having  obtained  any  certain  intelligence  concerning 
the  ol)ject  in  pursuit,   we  departed  from  Rosetta  : 


'f 


GEN.    EATON.  ggl 


sailed   tranquilly  along  ihP^^  torches  :  the  streets  for 
Nile  ;  and,  on   the  evening  ot'^^^  were  margined  with 
Bulac,  in  front  of  Cairo,   yviihoni'^  ^'^'^^^  had  come  from 
we  were  at  one  time  under  some  app?P*^  servants  were 
a  troop  of  wild  Arabs,  which  we  saw   fa.  ^^^   citadel, 
upon  a  herd  of  camels,  buffaloes  and  cattle,  .regularly 
village  Sabour,  and  drive   several  of  them  off  uio   the 
noyed.     Tlie  shrieks   of  the  villagers  demonstratebly 
their  consternation   and  anxiety,  while   tliey  offered 
no  resistance  to  these  mounted  marauders  of  the  des- 
ert :    and  these,  on  the  other  hand,  appeared  to  aim  no 
mischief  towards  the  persons  of  their  inactive  breth- 
ren of  the  plain.     We  bad  just  returned  on   board 
from  visiting  the  village  ;  the  Arab    camp  Avere  with- 
in half  a  league  ;  but  the  fire  we  raised  from  our  fowl- 
ing pieces  upon  the  vast  numbers  of  pigeons  and  oth- 
er small  fowl  in  its  environs  must  ha,ve  deterred  them 
from  attempting  to  examine   our  baggage.     They 
hov/ever  assailed  and  robbed  several  boats  just  after 
we  had  passed.     This  same  village  was  but  the  day 
before  plundered  by  five   hundred  Albanians,    who 
had  deserted  from   the  Vice  Roy's  army  ind  taken 
their  rout  to  Damietta.     Fortunate  for  us,  perhaps, 
that  they   had  not   stayed   a  day  longer ;  for  it  is 
doubtful  whether  our  appearance  would  have  been 
formidable  to  their  avarice  ;  or  our  resistance  to  their 
force.     I  make  this  digression  to  show  the  deplora- 
ble  situation   of  the   inhabitants  of  Egypt.     Their 
prayer  for  the  return   of  the  English  is  universal  ; 
and  humanity  prays  with  them. 

On  the  morning  of  the  eighth,  horses  and  attend- 
ants were  sent  from  the  palace  to  convey  us  to  Cairo  5 
and  at  nine  o'clock  we  entered  the  city,  followed  by 
a  vast  concourse  of  people  of  all  ages  and  sexes 
whom  curiosity  or  want  had  collected  about  us  ;  but 
at  that  respectful  distance  peculiar  to  the  people  of 
the  east  tov/ards  strangers  of  distinction.  We  pass- 
ed as  American  Officers  of  the  army  and  navy, 
whom  curiosity  had  brought  from  Malta  to  Egypt 
during  the  v*inter's  suspense  of  operatic^. 


^78  LIFE    OP 

opened  to  liim  tijc  object  of  ^^^ 

every  stejj,  which  the  nat- =»  ^^^  '^^^^  chiefly  consumed 
justify,  to  facilitate  tha^/'^ing  visits.  Among  others  a 
passage  on  the  Nile-*^^  ^J  the  Vice  Roy's  interpreter, 
greeable,  he  dire  arrival,  and  signifying  that  it  would 
to  accompany  to  his  Highness  to  wait  on  us  at  the  hall 
house.  »^G  ill  the  Citadel  af  the  third  hour  of  the  night 
I  al5  pext  day.  This  unusual  hour  was  fixed  on  by 
whv  "^ojirof  the  fast  of  Ramadam,  during  which  no  re- 
'    ireshmenls  can  be  given  by  day. 

Mean  time  I  employed  all  prudent  means  to  put 
in  motion  the  real  objects  of  my  visit  here.  I  found 
the  secretary  of  State  and  two  Ex-Grovernors  of  Ham- 
et  Bashaw  on  the  spot  ;  destitute  of  every  thing  but 
resentment  ;  for  even  hope  had  abandoned  them. 
From  them  I  learned  that  their  Sovereign,  after  a 
series  of  vicissitudes  and  disasters  had  been  reduced 
to  the  alternative  of  joining  the  Mamelukes;  and  that 
lie  was  actually  with  them  in  command  of  a  few 
Tripolitans  and  the  Arab  auxiliaries,  besieged  with 
Elfi  and  the  other  Mamelukes  Beys  in  the  village  of 
Miniet  in  upper  Egypt. 

Though  glad  to  hear  that  the  Bashaw  was  still 
active,  and  that  the  Arabs  were  still  attached  to  his 
interest,  the  embarrassments  which  have  hitherto  ac- 
cumulated to  impede  the  execution  of  our  plan  were 
now  heightened  by  the  impossibility  of  personal 
access  to  him ;  the  difRculty  of  communication  ; 
and  tlie  uncertainty  of  obtaining  the  Vice  Roy's 
firman  for  his  departure,  in  case  of  succeeding  to 
detach  him  from  the  rebel  army,  as  tlie  Mamelukes 
are  here  stiled.  These  obstacles  overcome,  every 
thing  else  seemed  feasible.  I  resolved  therefore  to 
throw  myself  on  the  honor  and  hospitality  of  the 
Turkish  sovereign  of  the  country. 
'  At  eight  in  the  evening  of  the  ninth,  six  Arabian 
horses,  richly  caparisoned,  and  a  numerous  escort  of 
attendants,  waited  in  iiie  court  yard  of  the  British 
house  to  conduct  us  to  the  palace.  Capt.  Vincents 
and  Doctor  Mendrici  accompanied  us  in  their  nation- 
al uniform^  The  procession  was  preceded  by  an  11- 


GEN.    EATON.  S81 

lumination  of  flambeaux  and  torches  :  the  streets  for 
the  distance  of  a  mile  and  a  half  were  margined  with 
spectators,  curious  to  see  i\m  men  pjho  had  come  from 
the  new  world.  Guards,  grooms  and  servants  were 
stationed  to  receive  us  at  the  gate  of  the  citadel. 
The  courhose  was  paraded  with  troo])s  regularly- 
drawn  up.  The  flights  of  stairs  which  lead  to  the 
grand  saloon  were  flanked  with  young  men  superbly 
armed  and  in  rich  Turkish  uniform.  The  hall  was 
large  and  splendid  ;  and  the  court,  which  attended 
the  Vice  Roy,  surpassed  in  magnificence  evek'y  thing 
I  have  ever  seen  of  the  kind.  His  Highness,  with 
a  dignified  air  of  aftability,  rose  from  a  sofa  of  em- 
broidered purple  and  damask  cushions  ;  and,  taking 
me  by  the  hand,  seated  me  next  himself  and  the 
gentlemen  in  company  on  the  right  and  left. 

Coffee,  pipes  and  sherbet,  were  served  in  oriental 
stile.  The  customary  salutations  passed  and  repeat- 
ed. Questions  on  indifferent  subjects  asked  and  an- 
swered :  news  of  the  day  concerning  the  European 
w^ar  :  enquiries  relative  to  our  nation  ;  situation  and 
extent  of  our  territory  ;  date  of  our  independence  ; 
nations  with  whom  v/e  were  at  peace  or  war  ;  pro- 
ductions and  commerce  of  the  country  ?  &c.  &c. 
At  length,  ])y  a  signal  of  his  hand,  the  court  retired, 
leaving  the  Vice  Roy  and  liis  interpreter  alone  with 
us.  He  now  observed  tliat  it  seemed  to  him  our  visit 
to  this  country,  at  so  critical  a  moment,  must  have 
s-oniething  more  for  its  object  than  the  mere  gratifica- 
tion of  curiosity.  This  opened  the  occasion,  which 
I  was  dcferrained  to  seek,  of  making  to  him  a  can- 
did explanation  of  my  business. 

I  stated,  in  French,  which  he  seemed  well  to  un- 
derstand, but  which  Vv^as  formally  translated  into 
Turkish,  r  detail  of  our  intercourse  and  relation, 
v^ith  Tripoli ;  negocifitions  of  peace  with  .losepli 
Bashaw  ;  violation  of  his  faith  ;  commencement  of 
ihQ  war,  and  such  events  in  its  progress  as  honor  did 
not  dictate  to  conceal  :  then  drew  a  flattering  though 
just  contrast  between  the  habits  of  th(j  Barbary  Prin- 

36  .  > 


^2  LIFE   OF 

ces  and  those  of  otlier  pT6\%ces  of  the  Ottoman  em- 
pire.  He  listened  with  atteption  and  evident  gratifi. 
cation.  Varying  a  little  th^  subject,  I  touched  upon 
the  affinity  of  principle  between  the  Islam  and  A- 
mcricaii  religion.  Both  taught  the  existence  and 
supremacy  of  oTie  God  :  (let  not  Triune  Chrisiians 
startle  at  the  emphasis  placed  on  this  numerical  ad- 
jective ;  it  is  not  meant  to  imply  that  unity  may  not 
be  composed  of  congregate  numbers  to  suit  any 
faitli ;)  both  enjoined  the  universal  exercise  of  hu- 
manity :  and  both  forbade  unnecessary  bloodshed. 
He  acknowledged  these  to  be  maxims  of  his  relig- 
\/  ion.  I  declared  that  we  sought  in  his  province  a  le- 
gitimate sovereign  of  Tripoli  ;  who  had  been  treach- 
erously driven  from  his  government  and  country  ;  in 
whose  good  faith  we  could  place  reliance,  and 
Avhom  we  intended  to  restore  to  his  throne  ;  and, 
so  doing,  stamp  conviction  on  the  world  that  we  do 
not  unsheath  the  sword  for  conquest  nor  for  spoil, 
but  to  vindicate  our  rights  ;  and  that  we  were  ready 
to  seize  any  honorable  mean  to  prevent  the  further 
effusions  of  blood  ;  and  more  especially  as  we  found 
that,  in  prosecuting  the  war  against  the  faithless  Jo- 
seph, the  severity  of  our  resentment  fell  rather  upon 
the  innocent,  deluded  victims  of  his  avarice  and  hy« 
pocriey  than  upon  the  aggressor  himself. 

He  approved  cur  resolution  ;  said  he  knew  Ham- 
et  Bashaw  ;  had  furnished  iiim  with  su])plies  for 
temporary  purposes  of  subsistence  ;  but  knew  not 
wherohe  was  at  this  moment.  He  assured  us  how- 
ever, that,  if  within  his  influence,  lie  would  by  all 
means  aid  the  accomplishment  of  a  measure  so  man- 
ifestly humane  ;  observing  that  his  predecessor  had 
promised  auxiliaries  to  Hamet  Bashaw,  for  this  very 
purpose  as  soon  as  the  tranquiliiy  of  this  country 
would  admit.  After  a  moment's  reflection,  lie  added, 
that,  in  case  the  Bashaw  should  have  joined  the 
Mamelukes,  which  was  possilile,  it  might  change 
the  dispositions  he  would  otherwise  make  concern- 
ing him. 


GEN.    EATON.  S83 

I  replied  that  tin  object  of  distress  could  not  lie  aa 
object  of  resentment  to  an  exalted  mind  ;  and  that  it 
was  more  like  God  to  pardon  than  to  punish  a  re- 
penting enemy.  By  an  inclination  of  his  head,  he. 
signified  assent ;  and  he  promised  to  send  couriers 
in  search  of  Hamet  Bashaw ;  which  he  has  done. 
So  have  I :  and,  through  the  intervention  of  my 
friend  Doctor  Mendrici,  who  has  great  influence 
at  court,  and  of  the  Vice  Hoy's  chief  interpreter, 
whom  we  have  gained,  there  is  no  doubt  of  obtain- 
ing his  permission  for  the  embarkation  of  the  Bashaw 
and  his  suit.  The  only  embarrassment  now  is,  how 
he  will  be  able  to  withdraw  himself  from  the  cause  of 
the  Mamelukes  without  exciting  suspicions  of  trea- 
son whicli  might  prove  fatal  to  him.  If  he  can  do 
this,  we  may  think  the  most  difficult  part  of  our  plan 
accomplished  ;  for  I  have  the  falest  assurance  and 
as  full  confidence  that  through  his  influence  we  may 
bring  any  number  of  men  on  the  back  of  Tripoli 
which  may  be  deemed  requisite  to  its  entire  success. 
And,  this  done,  with  our  naval  force  in  front,  all 
supplies  will  be  effectually  cut  off  from  the  enemy. 

J)ec.  i7th.  Last  evening,  at  an  audience  with 
the  Vice  Roy,  after  reproaching  Hamet  Bashaw,  for 
taking  part  with  the  Mamelukes,  he  was  prevailed 
upon  to  gi'ant  him  a  letter  of  amnesty,  and  permis- 
sion to  him  to  pass  the  Turkish  army  and  leave 
Egypt  unmolested.  It  now  remains  to  detach  him 
from  the  rebel  Bey's. 

Extracts  ;  to  Hon.  John  Cotton  Smith. 

Grand  Cairo ^  December  2Qth,  1804. 
CAN  you  expect  me  to  say  any  thing  of 
Egypt  after  Volney,  and  I)enon  ?  They  ha^T  drawn 
from  life  ;  and  in  nothing  exagerated.  Egypt's 
physical  appearance  is  the  same  ;  and  its  political 
is  only  changed,  in  that  British  regulars  have  sue- 
ceeded  to  French  marauders,  and  Turkish  brigands 
to  both.     The  domination  of  the  country  is  now  dis- 


284*  LIFE    OF 

puted  V,  ith  these  by  the  Mamelukes  :  aud  the  desart 
Arabs,  like  the  ravens  and  vultures  of  our  wilder- 
ness, hanging  on  the  rear  of  both  armies,  devour  ev- 
ery thing  which  is  left  defenceless  ;  the  consequent 
wretchedness  of  the  inhabitants  is  inconceivable  : 
danger  and  despair  stalk  every  where. 

Egypt  must  really  seek  a  deliverer  in  a  foreign 
conqueror.  Here  is  however  a  singular  tradition  a- 
mong  the  people  that  this  deliverance  must  be  effect- 
ed by  Mamelukes^  another  name  for  slaves  ;  because 
God  hath  ordained,  that,  since  its  salvation  by  Jo- 
seph, a  Mameluke,  the  country  must  be  saved  by 
slaves  /  They  admit  that  the  English  rendered  them 
much  service  by  expelling  the  French  ;  and  pray  for 
their  return  to  drive  out  the  Turks  :  but  then,  all 
must  be  ascribed  to  JosejjJi'S  spirit. 

Whatever  events  may  take  place  to  regulate  its 
government,  and  ameliorate  the  situation  of  its  in- 
habitants, Egypt,  like  Carthage  and  Syracuse,  will 
no  more  see  its  ancient  splendor.  It  was  the  com- 
merce of  India  and  the  borders  of  the  red  sea,  flow- 
ing through  these  plains,  more  than  inherent  resources, 
which  gave  wealth  and  grandeur  to  ancient  Egypt : 
these  sources  having  found  new  channels,  wealth 
and  grandeur  have  flown  with  them.  I  can  see 
nothins;  therefore  on  the  celebrated  Nile  which  the 
Ohio,  Mississippi,  Altamaha,  Savannah,  and  Ches- 
apeake, do  not  offer  us  :  even  her  crocodiles  and  her 
cajal  would  have  nothing  to  boast  side  and  side  by 
our  allegators  and  catfish  ;  tlicy  are  precisely  the 
same  ;  and  her  half  grown  mice  of  geography  can 
certainly  be  notliing  more  than  abortions.  But  when 
I  contrast  the  pure  currents,  healthful  margins,  and 
delightsome  landscapes  of  our  Susquehannah,  Del- 
aware, Hudson,  and  Connecticut,  with  the  muddy 
waters,  miry  or  parched  banks  and  eternal  desarts 
of  this  river  ;  and  the  intelligence,  freedom  aud  felic- 
ity of  the  citizens  there,  with  the  stupid  ignorance, 
rivited  vassalage  and  hopeless  misery  of  the  peasant*! 


GEN.    EATON.  28^ 

Here,  J  almost  lose  the  sensibility  of  pity  in  the  glad 
reflection  that  I  am  a  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

Kuiiaed  temples,  pyramids,  and  catacombs,  monu- 
ments of  the  superstition,  pride  and  folly  of  their 
founders,  disgust  my  sight ;  for  Avith  their  magnifi. 
ceuce  I  cannot  but  couple  the  idea  of  the  slaves  who 
must  have  groaned  under  the  oppressive  folly  of 
their  fabrication. 

Private  Letteji  to  Commodore  Preble. 

Egypt,  Province  of  Beliera,  village  of  Bemanhour, 

January  ^5th,  1805. 
AFTER  touching  at  Malta,  the  Argus 
arrived  at  Alexandria  on  the  S6th  November. 
Your  letter  to  Governor  Ball  produced  letters  of  in- 
troduction from  him  to  the  British  resident  at  Caii^ 
and  Consul  at  Alexandria  ;  and  those  Gentlemen 
have  consequently  rendered  us  every  assistance 
which  the  nature  of  our  affairs  and  their  duty  could 
require  and  admit.  At  Alexandria  it  was  intimated  to 
me  that  Ilamet  Bashaw  Avas  not  to  be  had  without 
application  to  Elfi  Bey,  to  whom  he  had  attached 
himself,  both  of  whom  were  in  upper  Egypt,  acting 
with  the  Mameluke  Bey's  agains  t  the  Ottoman  Gov- 
ernment, and  to  whom  access  was  barred  by  the 
Turkish  army. 

Under  these  discouraging  circumstances,  and  con- 
trary to  the  advice  of  every  body  on  the  sea  coast, 
on  the  30th  November  I  left  Alexandria,  for 
Grand  Cairo  with  three  officers,  Liutenant  O'Ban- 
non,  Mr.  Mann,  and  Mr.  Danielson,  and  a  few  men 
from  the  Brig  ;  who,  together  with  some  others  re- 
cruited on  the  spot,  and  at  Rosetta,  made  an  escort 
of  eighteen.  This  precaution  v^^as  necessary  on  ac- 
count of  the  banks  of  the  Nile  being  infested  by  the 
wild  Arabs  of  the  desart  and  by  straggling  Jirnaut 
deserters  from  the  Grand  Seignior's  army :  the  former 
subsist  by  plunder ;  the  latter  rob  and  murder  in^ 
discrimiaately  every   defenceless  being,  whose   ap 


286  LIFE   OF 

pcarance  ueuoics  property  :  both  move  in  bodies  and 
have  rendered  themselves  terrible  throughout  Egypt. 
On  the  8th  Dec.  we   arrived,  without   accident,  at 
Grand  Cairo.     There   I  found  the  Prime  Minister 
and   one   of  the  confidential  Governors  of  Hamet 
Bashaw,  who  confirmed  the   intimations  I  received 
at  Alexandria,  that  the  Bashaw  was  actually  with 
the  Mameluke  Beys  and  considered  as  an  enemy  to 
the  government  of  this  country.     I  had  already  dis- 
patched to  him  secret  couriers  from  Alexandria  and 
Kosetta,  and  now  sent  off  a  third  and  a  fourth  from 
the  capital.    *Biit  I  had  not  yet  had  audience   with 
ihe  Vice  Roy,  and  not  knowing  his  accessible  point, 
the  difficulty  I  apprehended  of  getting  the  Bashaw 
out  of  the  country  exceeded  that  of  access  to  him  ; 
for  I  found  it  impossible  to  do  it  privately,  and  to  at- 
tempt it  might  not  only  defeat  our  main  object  but  en- 
danger our  own  personal  safety.     Wherefore,  at  my 
first  interview,  finding  the  Vice  Roy  a  man  of  much 
more  frankness  aad  liberality  than  generally  falls  to 
the  character  of  a  Turk,  I  unreservedly    opened  to 
him  the  object  of  my  visit  to  his  country,  and  receiv- 
ed his  proffer  of  friendly   offices.     This   cleared  a 
little  my  prospects  while  it  created  new   embarrass- 
ments ;  for  the  interferancc,  or  even  the  amnesty,  of 
the  Vice  Roy,  in  behalf  of  Hamet   Bashaw,  might 
excitethe  jealousy  of  the  Mameluke  Beys,  and  have 
the  effect  to  bar  his  departure.     But  a  new  difficulty 
beset  me  which  I  little  expected,    and  less  from  the 
quarter  it  came.     The  French   Consul,  a  Piedmon- 
tese,  at  Alexandria,  Mr.  Drouette,  had  insinuated  that 
we  were  British  spies  in  American  masks  ;  and  that 
our  pretext  of  friendship  for  Hamet  Bashaw  aimed 
at  nothing  but  an  intercourse  with  the   Mamelukes, 
who  are  suspected  of  being  in   British   subsidy  ;  of 
course  an  insinuation  as  injurious  as  it  was  malig- 
nant.    I  am  yet  totally  at  loss  to  account   for  this 
strange  conduct  of  Mr.  Drouette,  as  I  am  equally  so 
at  the  indignity  of  our  flag  being  refused,  by  that  of 
the  French  througliout  this  country,  those  marks  of 


GEN.    EATON.  287 

civility  never  refused  to  a  foreign   flag  in  ordinary- 
cases,  and  which  we  received  ■  from  every  other  na- 
tion represented  here  ;  except  that,  informed  of  our 
object,  and  pursuing  the  same  line  of  conduct  with 
his  colleague  at  Tripoli,  he  thought  by  these  means 
to  defeat  that  object.     I  found  means  however,  the 
means  that  move  every  thing  in  this  quarter  of  the 
globe,  to  remove  this  difficulty  ;  and  finally  obtained 
the  Vice  Roy's  letter   of  amnesty  and  passport  of 
safe  conduct  to  Hamet  Bashaw,  which  were  dis- 
patched to  him  on  the  15tli,  in  quadruplicates  and  by 
different  conveyajices.     I  now  patiently  waited  the 
issue  of  measures  thus  far  pursued.     Mean  time  I 
busied  myself  in  finding  out  the  Tripolitan  emigrants 
in  this  country  ;  their  attachments  to  the  rival  broth- 
ers and  their  feelings  towards  the  Americans.     A- 
mong  these,  one  appeared  who  was  only  ninety  days 
ft-om  Tripoli ;  an  Arnaut  Turli  who  had  been  in  the 
s.ervice  of  Joseph   Bashaw  during  the  blockade   of 
last  summer,  whom  I  had  under  particular  examina- 
tion:    Supposing   himself  conversing  with  English^ 
men,  he  was  very  unreserved  in  his  confessions,  and 
being  decidedly  in  the  interest  of  the  enemy  (he  was 
enthusiastic  in  his  cause  though  willing  to  dijypense 
with  his  honors)  his  story  deserves  the   more  credit. 
He  said,  "•  Tripoli  had  lost  many  men  in  the  differ-  *- 
ent  attacks  of  the  Jlmericans  last  summer :  the  town  v 
was  much  damaged  :  and  the  inhabitants  under  such  v 
a  state  of  consternation  that  no  body  slept  in  the  cityy  \. 
and  that  no  business  was  done  there.     He  confirmed  ^ 
the  account  of  Ihe  fire  ship,  Infernal,  being  blown  up 
by  Capt.   Somers,  after  having  been  boarded  by  two 
row  gallies.     Stating  this  fact  the  fellow  wept.     He 
observed  that  the  war  had  been  unfortunate  to  the 
cruizers.   Thev  liad  been  led  to  believe  that  the  A- 
mericans  were  all  merchantmen,  and  that  they  should 
have  nothing  to  do  but  to  go  out  and  bring  them  in  : 
but  they  found  them  devils,  from  whom  nothing  was 
i-n)  be  gained  in  war,  and  therefore  he  quitted  the  ser-  "*" 
vice  ok'  Joseph  Bashaw.     The  Bashaw  was  never- 


288  LIFE    OF 

theless  determined  not  to  make  peace  with  these  in- 
fidels until  he  shall  have  humbled  them  and  made 
them  pay  for  the  damages  they  had  done  to  his  navy 
and  city."  He  acknowledged  that  Hamet  Bashaw 
had  many  friends  in  Tripoli  ;  but  said,  Joseph  Bash- 
aw had  taken  care  of  him  !  It  is  ascertained  that  tlie 
latter  has  employed  assassins  to  poison  the  former. 
These  undoubtedly  have  reported  that  they  had  exe- 
wjted  their  commission  :  and  hence  we  account  for 
the  report  of  Hamet  Bashaw's  death. 

On  the  8th  instant,  I  received  from  the  Bashaw 
an  answer  to  my  letter  from  Cairo,   dated  the  28th, 
of  the  month  Ramadam,  corresponding  with  the  3(1 
January,  stating  that  he  should  that  day   depart  for 
this  province  and  take  lodgings  at   the   house  of  an 
Arab  chief,  by  name    AWd?el  gavir  el  he   Kourchi, 
where  he  should  wait  to  meet  me.    But  as  ray  letters 
to  him,  dated  after  the  Vice  Roy's   amnesty,  all  ad- 
vised him  to  repair  to  the  English  house  at   Rosetta, 
under  the  guarantee  of  the  Vice  Roy's  passport,  and 
believing  he  might   push  liis  march   thither,  I  left 
Cairo  for  that  place  on  the  13tli  instant,   and  arrived 
in  three  days.     Nothing  additional  appearing  there, 
I  proceeded  to' Alexandria   on   tlie    19th.     On  the 
20th,  received  the  Bashaw's  answer  to   my  letter  of 
28th  Novemlicr,  of  tlic   same   tenor  with  that  I  re- 
ceived  from   liim  at  Cairo.     It  appeared   that  not 
confiding  in  the  Vice  Roy's  dispositions  concerning 
him,  or  perhaps  not  haviuj^  received  iiis  letter  of  am- 
nesty before  leaving  the  Mameluke  camj),  the  Bash- 
aw had  determined   to  expect  an   interview  at  the 
place  he  had  first  named  near  the  lake  Fiaum,  on  the 
border  of  tJie  desert,  about  one  hundred   and  ninety 
miles  from  tiie  sea  coast.     Nothing  can  be  more  in- 
credulous than  a  Turk  of  a  Turk's   honor  ;  and  for 
a  good  reason  :  noticing  can  be  more  equivocal  tluin 
their  plighted  f  lith. 

Thou2;h  traveliiii^  in  the  interior  of  this  countrv 
has  become  unus'aally  hazardous  on  account  of  the 
jetilousy  of  the  Tui'kish  chief ;  of  the  riiins  given  to 


GEN.    EATON.  ^8fi^ 

licentiousness  by  the  barbarity  of  civil  war  ;  and  of 
the  strong  grounds  the  wild  Arabs  hold  by  reason  of 
all  restraint  being  relaxed  on  the  part  of  the  Turks 
and  Mamelukes  who  are  too  seriously  occupied  with 
each  other  ;  I  determined  to  attempt  a  passage  to 
Fiaum.  Accordingly,  on  the  S2d  instant,  I  left  Alex- 
andria with  two  officers  from  the  Argus,  Lieutenant 
Blake  and  Mr.  Mann,  and  an  escort  of  23  men  in- 
differently mounted,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  S3d, 
found  myself  arrested  at  the  Turkish  lines,  between 
seventy  and  eighty  miles  on  my  rout,  by  the  Ker- 
chief of  Damanho!ir,  commanding  a  detachment  of  a- 
bout  five  hundred  Ottoman  troops  on  the  frontier. 
No  argument  I  could  devise  could  at  all  mollify  the 
severity  of  his  first  resolution,  not  to  let  mepass  his 
lines f  though  in  every  thing  else  lie  treated  us  with 
distinction  and  great  hospitality.  However  mortify- 
ing the  confession,  I  cannot  but  applaud  the  correct 
military  conduct  of  this  chief  ;  for  it  w  as^  in  itself,  a^ 
suspicious  circumstance,  that  a  body  of  armed,  un- 
known foreigners,  should  be  found  shaping  a  course 
for  his  enemy^s  rendesvous,  with  no  other  pretext 
than  to  search  for  a  Refugee  Bashaw  !  But  this 
suspicious  circumstance  was  strengthened  and  aggra- 
vated by  the  insinuation  gone  out  from  the  French 
Coiisul,  that  we  came  into  this  country  loith  secret 
views  hostile  to  the  Turks.  Our  situation  here  was 
somewhat  perplexing,  and  vastly  unpleasant.  I  do 
not  recollect  ever  having  found  myself  on  a  ground 
more  critical.  To  the  natural  jealousy  of  a  Turk 
this  Greneral  added  a  fierce  and  savage  temper  ;  of 
course  proud  and  vain.  Here  was  my  point  of  ap- 
proach. I  passed  high  compliments  on  the  correct- 
ness of  his  military  conduct  and  vigilance.  Said  it 
was  what  I  apprehended  ;  and  what  I  certainly 
would  have  done  myself  in  similar  circumstances. 
But  knowing  from  character  the  magnanimity  of  his 
soul,  I  was  determined  to  have  an  interview  Avith 
him,  in  full  confidence  that  he  would  aid  a  measure 
so  purely  humane,  and  so  manifestly  favorable  to  the 

37 


290  LIFE    OF 

Turkish  interest  in  Egypt,  in  case  lie  could  not  per- 
mit me  to   pursue   my  object   personally.     At   the 
same  time,  recurring;  to  the  example  of  the  Vice  Roy, 
whose  letter  I  had  showed  him,  and   signifying  that 
I  had  it  in  charge  to  tender  him  a   douceur  in   tes- 
timony of  our  exalted  opinion  of  his  name  and  merit : 
he  was  moved  :     said  my  confidence   should    not  be 
disappointed ;  and  called  into  his  tent  a  chief  of  the 
Arab  tribes  called    Ou  ad  Mlis,   a  wandering  host 
who  liave  from  time  to  time  been  driven  or  emigrated 
from  the  kingdom  of  Tripoli  since   the  usurpation  of 
Joseph  Bashaw,  to  whom  he  stated  my  business,  and 
asked  if  he   could  give  any  account  of  Hamet  Bash- 
aw.    The  young  chief,  in  an  extacy,  exclaimed  that 
he  knew  every  thing  !  I  requested   bim  to  declare 
himself  :  for  I  had  no  secret  in  my  relation  with  that 
Bashaw. 

You  liave,  Sir,  already  anticipated  his  story  in  the 
statement  I  have  given  of  the  Bashaw's  actual  posi- 
tion. He  added  that  twenty  thousand  men,  Barba- 
ry  Arabs,  were  ready  to  march  with  him  from  this 
border  to  recover  their  native  country  and  inheri- 
tance :  repeated  that  he  knew  our  jilaii  ;  and,  now 
that  he  had  seen  me,  he  would  pledge  his  head  to 
ihe  Turkish  General  to  bring  me  Hamct  Bashaw  in 
ten  days.  The  Turk  accordingly  dispatched  him 
the  n^xi  morning  on  this  message. 

I  could  yet  perceive  some  symptoms  of  suspicion 
and  apprehension  on  the  brow  of  my  newly  acquired 
and  military  friend.  Wherefore,  without  seeming  to 
have  any  other  view  than  a  solicitude  to  meet  the 
man  I  sought,  but  really  with  a  view  of  removing 
his  suspicioris,  I  proposed  to  him  to  return  to  his 
head  quarters,  this  village  ;  send  off  my  escort  to 
Alexandria  ;  and  to  wait  myself,  witli  only  the  Gen- 
tlemen in  company  and  our  servants,  until  our  Arab 
chief  should  return  from  Fiaum  M'ith  the  Bashaw. 
This  proposal  had  its  desired  effect.  We  left  him 
and  retired  to  a  handsome  pavilliou  prepared  for  tlie 
purpose  5  took  refreshment^)  he  had  ordered  to  be  in 


GEN.    EATON.  S91 

readiness  ;  and  the  next  morning  returned,  witli  an 
additional  escort  from  bis  camp,  to  this  place  ; 
where  we  found  handsome  lodgings  in  Turkish 
stile  prepared  for  us. 

Thus  far  I  have  sketched  an  abstract  «f  my  jour- 
nal since  we  parted.  Do  you  expect  something  of 
Egupt ;  its  antiquities  ;  curiosities  ;  its  wonders? 
You  must  be  disappointed.  I  am  too  much  occupi- 
ed with  modern  affairs  to  ransack  catacombs  or 
climb  pyramids  :  for  the  same  reason  I  have  not  time 
to  gratify  curiosity  ;  and  as  to  wonders  can  only  no- 
tice what  I  cannot  help  being  impressed  with,  the 
wonderful  ignorance,  wonderful  stupidity. uwnderful 
tyranny  and  wonderful  wretchedness  whicli  so 
strongly  mark  the  features  of  a  country  once  the 
wonder  of  the  world  for  science,  wisdom,  wholesome^ 
police  and  rational  happiness.  Here  is  matter  for  a 
volume.  I  can  only  devote  six  lines  to  the  subject. 
Not  a  man  reads  here  ;  yet  none  but  thinks  himself 
divinely  taught.  The  Kerchief  of  whom  I  have 
spoke  above,  in  a  little  excursion  to.  gather  contribu- 
tion, has  cut  off  between  fifty  and  sixty  peasant's 
"■  heads  for  no  other  crime  than  poverty.  And  just 
without  the  eastern  gate  of  this  village  a  gallows  is 
now  erecting  to  hang  a  child  of  twelve  years,  the 
only  son  of  a  chief  of  the  village  Rahraania,  because 
his  father  cannot  pay  the  contribution  ievi  'd  on  him  ! 
GOD  i  I  thank  thee  that  my  children  are  Ameri- 
cans ! 

January  Si sf.  Since  1  began  this  letter  circum- 
stances have  accumulated  to  render  our  situation 
more  aukward,  and  I  may  well  say  ridiculous. 
The  next  day  after  entering  the  house,  w  here  Ave 
quarter,  a  markee  was  raised  upon  the  terrace  of  an 
adjoining  house,  and  a  Turkish  guard  mounted  there 
under  pretext  of  fresh  air.  Armed  Turks  were  sent 
into  the  house  to  remain  with  us,  for  the  purpose  of 
accompanying  us  as  a  lifeguard  in  our  walks  :  and 
a  sentinel  was  placed  at  our  door  in  the  lower  court 
to  jjrevent  intruders.     Though  these  arrangements 


^S  LIFE    OF 

were  vastly  polite  1  should  have  heen  very  willing 
to  have  dispensed  with  them.  That  gallows  has 
not  appeared  so  childish  a  thing  of  late  !  Yet,  hy  ap- 
pearing frank  and  easy  with  the  Turkish  general,  his 
suspicions  seem  to  have  subsided.  I  receive  all 
these  e^'idences  of  vigilance  as  marks  of  attention  ; 
thank  liim  for  his  civilities  ;  and  assure  him  that  I 
shall  be  careful  to  make  suitable  mention  of  them 
to  the  President,  my  master.  By  this  kind  of  adu- 
lation yesterday  I  so  much  drew  him  from  his  guard, 
that  he  opened  bis  heart  and  unequivocally  confess- 
ed that,  "  in  the  present  convulsive  state  of  this 
country  the  Turks  ought  to  suspect  every  body,  es- 
pecially the  Knglish  :  but  they  had  peculiar  reasons 
for  suspecting  us,  as  the  French  Consul  had  declar- 
ed us  British  spies  /"  What  does  not  that  savage 
merit  for  this  v/anton  and  base  manner  of  exposing 
our  lives  to  the  infamy  of  a  gibbet !  I  hope  not  to 
meet  him  at  Alexandria. 

Feb.  iQthf  at  Alexandria.  "We  arrived  with  the 
Bashaw  and  Suit  at  the  English  cut  between  Aboukir 
bay  and  lake  McEriotis,  a  week  agolast  Wednesday. 
There  we  had  new  diflRculties  to  encounter.  The 
French  Consul  had  been  before  hand  of  me  in  gain- 
ing the  Admiral  of  this  port  and  Governor  of  the  ci- 
ty ;  and  they,  consequently,  came  to  a  resolution  not 
to  permit  the  Bashaw  to  enter  the  city,  nor  to  embark. 
Argument  was  useless  ;  for  we  were  too  late  in  the 
application  of  it. 

Tlie  Bashaw  had  before  come  to  a  resolution  to 
march  by  land  to  Derne  and  Bengazi  :  and  he  nov/ 
moved  round  the  lake  to  form  his  camp  at  Arab's 
Tower,  about  thirty  miles  west  of  the  old  port  of 
Alexandria.  In  the  mean  time  I  stated  to  the  Vice 
Hoy  the  contempt  his  letter  of  amnesty  suffered  from 
his  subalterns  in  this  place.  In  consequence  of 
which  he  addressed  a  Jirinan  by  a  Chaux  to  the 
Governor,  commanding  immediate  compliance  with 
the  inteution  of  his  letter  of  amnesty,  and  imposing 
a  fine  on  him  of  twenty  live  thousand  piasters.     This 


GEN.    EATON.  S93 

gives  us  a  final  triumph  in  Egypt  ;  though  I  confess, 
I  eouhl  have  wished  the  Vice  Roy's  resentment  had 
not  fallen  so  heavily  on  his  disobedient  Governor. 
I  do  not  think  it  prudent  to  advise  the  Bashaw  to  en- 
ter the  city,  least  vengeance  should  retaliate  on  him 
the  chastisement  he  has  brought  upon  his  Turkish 
brother  of  this  place.  We  shall  therefore  take  up 
our  line  of  march  through  the  desart  of  Lybia  towards 
Derne  next  Wednesday. 

Our  party  consists  of  five  hundred  men.  One 
hundred  of  whom  are  Christians  recruited  on  the  spot, 
and  employed  in  our  service.  We  shall  make  a 
stand  at  Bomba,  and  wait  the  return  of  Capt.  Hull 
with  supplies  and  reinforcements  to  seize  the  prov- 
inces of  Derne  and  Bengazi,  for  which  purpose  he 
sails  for  the  rendezvous  day  after  tomorrow\ 

Here  is  a  ketch  from  Tripoli  ;  sent  up  by  the  en- 
emy with  an  envoy  to  prevent  Haraet  Bashaw  being 
pernitted  to  leave  Egypt.  But,  not  having  w  ith 
him  the  only  agent  wliich  carries  all  causes  here,  the 
poor  devil  must  go  back  in  season  only  to  give 
Joseph  Bashaw  imformation  of  the  fate  that  awaits 
him.  If  our  measures  are  supported  lie  must  fly  his 
kingdom  or  die. 

How  glorious   would  be  the  exhibition  to  see  our 
fellow  citizens  in  captivity  in  Tripoli  march   in  tri- 
umph from  a  dungeon  to  tiieir  Tyrant's  palace,   and 
display  the  flag  of  the  United  States. 
I  have  the  honor  to  he, 

most  resjjectfully  and  with 

cordial  attachment^ 
Bear  Sir, 

your  obliged  and  obedient  servant. 
WILLIAM  EATON. 

€ommodore  Preble. 


29'*  LIFE   OF 

To  Capt.  Isaac  Hull,  of  the  Argus. 

I}emanhourf  Saturday  Feb.  'M,  1805. 
Sir, 

LAST  evening  I  received  advice  from 
Doctor  Mendrici  at  Rosetta,  that  two  of  Hamet 
Bashaw's  miniters,  his  Secretary  of  state  and  Gov- 
ernor of  police,  have  arrived  thither  from  Grand  Ca- 
iro. I  dispatched  the  courier  in  return  and  request- 
ed them  to  proceed  to  Alexandria,  and  place  them- 
selves under  your  protection.  They  will  probably 
be  on  board  of  you  Monday  evening  if  not  sooner: 
Mr.  O'Bannon  will  recognize  them.  To  day  we 
expect  the  arrival  of  Hamet.  Possibly  he  may  be 
delayed  a  day  or  two  longer.  At  all  events  you 
may  expect  us  AV^ednesday  evening  or  Thursday 
morning.  Every  thing  is  tranquil  with  us.  It  will 
be  so  with  you  when  the  truth  of  facts  shall  have 
dispelled  the  mist  of  misrepresentation. 

1  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
r  Signed  J  WILLIAM  EATON. 


Ca]pt.  Hull. 


Hear  Sir 


To  THE  SAME. 

Bemanhour,  Feb.  4f/j,  1805. 


> 


BY  express  of  the  2d,  I  stated  to  you 
my  arrangements  concerning  the  two  Ministers  of 
Hamet  Bashaw  at  Rosetta. 

Althou£;h  I  have  not  vet  received  an  answer  to 
my  letter  from  this  place  by  tlie  Arab  chief,  I  am  as- 
sured in  positive  terms  by  the  Kerchief  of  this  vil- 
lage that  an  answer  cannot  be  delayed  more  than 
two  days  longer.  It  would  seem  hardly  possible 
that  the  Bashaw  would  loose  this  opportunity  of  an 
interview,  but  slioald  it  so  happen,  and  my  messen- 
ger returns  without  him,  I  am  entirely  with  you  in 
opinion  of  the  Brig's  returning  with  you  to  the  rendes- 


GEN.    EATON.  S95 

vous.  I  have  anticipated  your  ideas  concerning  the 
impropriety  of  the  Bashaw's  approaching  the  Turk- 
ish frontiei-s  with  a  force,  and  have  given  instruet- 
tions  to  my  messenger  to  signify  to  him  that  he  can 
advance  with  his  SM2fo«/y,  which  are  not  to  consist 
of  more  than  eight  men  :  am  not  confident  he  will 
yield  to  theSe  terms,  for  it  appears  his  jealousy  and 
suspicion,  with  those  of  his  Turkish  brethren  are 
reciprocal.         ****** 

3  o'clock  P.  M.     I  had  just  turned  this  period  in 
answer  to  your  last,  when  a  messenger  from  Hamet 
Bashaw  entered  my  apartment,  and,   to  convince  me 
that  he  was  not  an   imposter,  he  put  into  my  hands 
my  first  letter  to  the   Bashaw  from   Alexandria  of 
30th  November.     This  was  a  fortunate  occurrence, 
because  it  assured  the  Bashaw  of  our  high  respect 
for  the  Grand  Seignior  ;  and  cautioned  him  against 
any  steps  which  njight  go  to  compromit  our  good  in- 
telligence witii  that  Sovereign  :  and   it   having  an 
Arabac  translation  on  the  back,  I  went  with  it  to  the 
Kerchief,  who  by   the  bye,  is  a  fierce   savage  Turk, 
but  a  good  General.     This  at  once  did  away  all  sus- 
picions.    He  took  me  by  tlie  hand  for  the   first  time, 
complimented  my  candour,   and   invited  me  to  ride, 
out,  and  dine  with  him  at   his    Camp.     This  mes- 
senger was   followed   by   several  Arabs,  who   had 
kept  in  the  back  ground  till  they  should  knov>^  wheth- 
er they  might  enter  with  safely,    accompanied  by  the 
two  Maltese,  whom  1  dispatched  secretly  from  Cai- 
ro.    One  of  the  Arabs  is  a  servant   of  the   BashaM , 
and  accompanied  him  on  his  rout  towards  this  place, 
as  far  as  Ferene.     He  will  be  in  Demanhour   tomor- 
row, and  Wednesday  morning  we   shall   set  off  for 
Alexandria.     The  Bashaw    has  02ily  his  suit  with 
him,  consisting  of  about  forty  persons,   which  gives 
no  uneasiness  to  the  Kerchief  ;  on    the  contrary  he 
has  voluntarily  offered  us  an   escort   to  secure   our 
passage  to  Alexandria,  and  will  p;o  out   himself  v»'ith 
me  tomorrow  to  accompany  our  friend  into  Deman- 
hour. 


296  LIFE   OF    > 

y 

Extracts  ;    to   Mr.    Smith,  Secretary  of  the 

Navy. 

Mexayidria,  February  iSthj  1805. 
WE  left  Deraanhour  last  Thursday  and 
arrived  at  the  English  Cut,  between  Aboukir  Bay 
and  lake  Moeriotis,  the  day  following;  where  we 
were  arrested  by  a  Turkish  Guard,  and  forbid  to  en- 
ter the  City.  This  comes  from  the  French  Consul. 
He  had  been  befoi^e  me  in  gaining  the  Turkish  Ad- 
miral :  (there  is  but  one  way  of  access  to  thesew  peo^ 
pie  :)  who,  considering  himself  chiefly  charged  M'ith 
the  safety  of  the  city  and  harbor,  and  not  admitting 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Vice  Roy  to  extend  beyond 
low  water  mark,  absolutely  refused  admission  into 
the  city  to  Hamet  Bashaw,  or  permission  to  us  to 
embark  him  at  this  place.  The  French  Consul  ex- 
cuses himself  for  this  intrigue,  by  saying  his  zeal  for 
the  interest  of  the  Emperor,  will  justify  his  conduct 
and  save  him  from  reproach. 

This  goes  in  support  of  an  opinion  Commodore 
Preble  had  formed  from  his  intercourse  with  the 
French  Consul  of  Tripoli,  that  ^^  the  intervention  of 
the  Emperor  in  our  behalf,  covers  a  design  ;  or  that 
his  agents  on  this  coast  have  used  an  unwarrantable 
discretion'\  But  this  impediment  does  not  stop  our 
progress.  The  Bashaw  had  already  determined  to 
take  the  desert  of  Lvbia  to  Berne  :  jrivina:  for  his 
reason,  which  I  think  a  sound  one,  that  by  taking 
shipping  and  separating  himself  from  the  Arabs,  they 
would  lose  patience  if  not  confidence  also,  anda- 
bandon  his  cause.  He  has  consequently  moved 
round  the  lake  ;  and  will  tomorrow  take  his  station 
at  Arab's  Tour,  thirty  miles  westward  of  the  old 
post  of  Alexandria  ;  where  I  am  to  join  him  with  a 
detachment  frora  the  city  next  Sunday,  and  proceed 
with  him^to  Bomba  at  the  head  of  five  hundred  men, 
and  there  take  post.  Mean  time  Capt.  Hull  repairs 
to  the  rendesvotis  for  suitable  reinforcements  and 


GEN.    EATON.  2^7 

supplies^  to  secure  an  establishment  at  Derne  and 
Bengazi.  Those  provinces  in  our  possession  will 
cut  off*  from  the  enemy  and  turn  into  our  own  chan- 
nel, a  source  of  provisions  ;  and  will  open  a  free 
intercourse  with  the  interior  of  the  country.  I  have 
requested  of  the  Commodore  for  this  purpose,  an 
hundred  stands  of  arms,  with  cartridges,  and  two 
fieldpieces  with  trains  and  ammunition  ;  and  also  a 
detachment  of  one  hundred  marines,  if  necessary,  to 
lead  a  coup  de  main.  I  calculate  the  whole  ex- 
penditure of  cash  in  this  expedition,  including  ex- 
pences  of  Egypt,  will  amount  to  twenty  thousand 
dollars.  Further  disbursments  and  supplies  will  be 
necessary  to  carry  this  plan  into  final  effect.  But, 
to  indemnify  the  United  States,  I  have  entered  into 
a  convention  with  Haraet  Bashaw  to  pledge  the  trib- 
ute of  Sweden,  Denmark  and  the  Batavian  Repub- 
lic, which  convention,  I  shall  reduce  to  writing,  and 
forward  by  Capt.  Hull  if  time  permit ;  otherwise  by 
the  earliest  occasion. 

CONVENTION, 

BETWEEN  the  United  States  of  America,  and  his 
HighnesSf  Hamet  Caramanly,  Bashaw  of 
Tripoli. 

God  is  infinite. 

Article  I.  There  shall  be  a  firm  and  perpetual 
peace,  and  free  intercourse,  between  the  government 
of  the  United  States  of  America  and  his  Highness, 
Hamet  Caramaiily,  Bashaw,  tlie  legitimate  Sover- 
eign of  tlie  kingdom  of  Tripoli,  and  between  the  cit- 
izens of  the  one,  and  the  subjects  of  the  other. 

Art.  II.  The  government  of  the  United  States 
shall  use  their  utmost  exertions,  so  far  as  comports 
with  their  own  honor,  and  interest,  their  subsisting 
treaties,  and  tlie  acknowledged  law  of  nations,  to 
reestablish  the  said  Hamet  Bashaw  in  the  possession 

3S 


298  LIFE   OF 

of  liis  sovereignty  of  Tripoli,  against  the  pretensions 
of  Joseph  Bashaw,  who  obtained  said  sovereignty 
by  treason,  and  who  now  holds  it  by  usurpation. 
And  who  is  engaged  in  actual  war  against  the  Unit- 
ed States. 

Art.  III.  The  United  States  shall,  as  circum- 
stances may  require,  in  addition  to  the  operations 
they  are  carrying  on  by  sea,  furnish  to  said  Hamet 
Bashaw,  on  loan,  supplies  of  cash,  ammunition  and 
provisions  ;  and,  if  necessity  require,  debarkations 
of  troops  also,  to  aid,  and  give  eflect  to  the  operations 
of  said  Hamet  Bashaw,  by  land,  against  the  com- 
mon  enemy. 

Art.  IV.  In  consideration  of  which  friendly  of- 
fices, once  rendered  effectual,  his  Highness,  Hamet 
Caramanly,  Bashaw,  engages,  on  his  part,  to  release 
to  the  Commander  in  chief  of  the  forces  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  in  the  Mediterranean  without  ransom,  all 
American  prisoners  who  are,  or  may  hereafter  be,  in 
the  hands  of  the  usurper,  said  Joseph  Bashaw. 

Art.  V.  In  order  to  indemnify  the  United  States 
against  all  expence  they  have  or  shall  incur  in  car- 
rying into  execution  their  engagements  expressed  in 
the  second  and  third  article  of  this  convention,  the 
said  Hamet  Bashaw  transfers,  and  consigns,  to  the 
United  States,  the  tribute,  stipulated  by  the  last 
treaties,  of  his  Majesty  the  King  of  Denmark,  his 
Majesty  the  King  of  Sweden,  and  the  Batavian  Re- 
public, as  the  condition  of  peace  with  the  Regency 
of  Tripoli,  until  such  time  as  said  expence  shall  be 
reimbursed. 

Art.  VI.  In  order  to  carry  into  full  effect  the 
stipulation  expressed  in  the  preceding  article,  said 
Hamet  Bashaw,  pledges  liis  faith  ancl  honor,  faith- 
fully  to  observe,  and  fullil,  the  treaties  now  subsist- 
ing between  the  Ree;cncy  of  Tripoli  and  their  Maj- 
esties the  Kings  of  Denmark  and  Sweden,  and  with 
tlie  Batavian  Republic. 

Art.  VII.  In  consideration  of  the  friendly  dispo- 
sitions of  his  Majesty  the  King  of  the  tuo  Sicilies 


GEN.    EATON.  g,90 

towards  the  American  Squadrons,  his  Highness  Hani- 
et  Bashaw  invites  his  said  Sicilian  Majesty  to  renew 
their  ancient  friendship  :  and  proffers  him  a  peace 
on  the  footing  of  that  to  be  definatively  concluded 
with  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the  fullest  ex- 
tent of  its  privileges,  according  to  the  tenor  of  this 
convention. 

Art.  VIII.  The  better  to  give  effect  to  the  oper- 
ations to  be  carried  on  by  land,  in  the  prosecution  of 
the  plan,  and  the  attainment  of  the  object  pointed  out 
by  this  convention,  William  Eaton,  a  citizen  of 
the  United  States,  now  in  Egypt,  shall  be  recogniz- 
ed as  General  and  Commander  in  chief  of  the  lancl 
forces,  which  are,  or  may  be,  called  into  service  a- 
gainst  the  common  enemy,  and  his  said  Highness 
Hamet  Bashaw,  engages  that  his  own  Subjects  shalj 
respect,  and  obey  him  as  such. 

Art.  IX.  His  Highness,  said  Hamet  Bashaw, 
grants  full  amnesty,  and  perpetual  oblivion  towards 
the  conduct  of  all  such  of  his  subjects  as  may  have 
been  seduced  by  the  Usurper,  to  abandon  his  cause, 
and  who  are  disposed,  to  return  to  their  proper  alle- 
giance. 

Art.  X.  In  case  of  future  war  between  the 
contracting  parties,  captives  on  each  side  shall  be 
treated  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  not  as  slaves,  and 
shall  be  entitled  to  reciprocal  and  equal  exchange, 
man  for  man,  and  grade  for  grade,  and  in  no  case, 
shall  a  ransom  be  demanded  fw  prisoners  of  war, 
nor  a  tribute  required,  as  the  condition  of  jjeace, 
neither  on  the  one  part  nor  the  other.  AH  prisoners 
on  both  sides,  shall  be  given  up  at  the  conclusion  of 
peace. 

Art.  XI.  The  American  Consular  Flag  in  Trip- 
oli shall  forever  be  a  sacred  asylum  to  all  persons 
who  shall  desire  to  take  refuge  under  it,  except  for 
the  crimes  of  treason  and  murder. 

Art.  XII.  In  case  of  the  faithful  observance  and 
fulfilment  on  the  part  of  his  Highness,  said  Hamet 
Bashaw,  of  the   agreements  and  obligations  herein 


300  LIFE   OF 

stipulated,  the  said  Commander  in  chief  of  the  A- 
merican  forces  in  the  Mediterranean,  engages  to  leave 
said  Hamet  Bashaw,  in  the  peacahle  possession  of 
the  city  and  Regency  of  Tripoli,  without  dismant- 
ling  its  batteries. 

Art.  XIII.  Any  article  suitable  to  be  introduced 
in  a  definative  treaty  of  peace  between  the  contract- 
ing parties,  which  may  not  be  comprised  in  this  con- 
vention, shall  be  reciprocally  on  the  footing  of  the 
treaties  subsisting  with  the  most  favored   nations. 

Art.  XIV.  This  convention  shall  be  submitted  to 
the  President  of  the  United  States  for  his  ratifica- 
tion :  iu  the  mean  time  there  shall  be  no  suspence  in 
its  operations. 

Vone  at  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  Februa- 
ry S3f?,  1805,  and  signed  by  said  Ham- 
(L.  S.)      et  Bashaw,  for  himself  and  successors, 
and  by  William  Eaton,  on  the  part 
of  the  United  States. 

WILLIAM  EATON. 
f  Arabic  signature  and  seal  of  Uamet.J 
In  prsence  of 
P.  N.  O'Bannon,  Lieut,  of  Marines, 
Be.  Francisco  Mendrici, 
Pascal  Paoli  Peck. 


qEN.    EATON.  301 


Additional  Article^  secret. 

His  Highnes,  Hamet  Bashaw  will  use  his  utmost 
exertions  to  cause  to  surrender  to  the  Commander  in 
chief  of  the  American  forces  in  the  Mediterranean, 
the  Usurper  Joseph  Bashaw,  together  with  his  family 
and  chief  admiral  called  Maurad  Raiz,  Alias,  Peter 
Lisle,  to  be  held  by  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  as  hostages,  and  as  a  guarantee  of  the  faith- 
ful observance  of  the  stipulations  entered  into  by 
convention  of  the  23d  February  1805,  with  the 
United  States,  provided  they  do  not  esc?pe  hy  flight, 
4  WILLIAM  EATON. 

bi|  ^Arabic  signature  and  seal  of  Hamet.  J 

VLi      Witness, 

Y.  N.  O'Bannon,  Lieut,  of  Marines^ 
Dr.  Francisco  Mendrici, 
Pascal  Paoli  Peck. 

From  the  Journal. 

March  2d,  1805. 
OUR  provisions,  which  were  embarked 
on  board  a  Nile  boat  to  be  transported  to  tlie  Mara- 
bout were  arrested  in  the  new  port  of  Alexandria. 
The  lines  which  defend  the  city  were  manned,  and 
orders  given  that  no  one,  American  officers  excepted, 
should  depart.  The  Bashaw's  servants,  who  were 
leaving  town  with  sundry  articles  of  baggage,  were 
arrested  and  imprisoned.  Turkish  guards  and  pa«. 
troles  advanced  towards  the  Bashaw's  camp.  He 
was  alarmed,  and  with  his  people,  was  on  the  point 
of  flying  to  the  desert.  The  firm  and  decided  con- 
duct of  Mr.  O'Bannon  prevented  their  movement. 
We  found  the  impediments  raised  to  us  were  occa- 
sioned by  the  influence  of  the  supervisor  of  the  rev- 
enue, who  had  not  yet  been  bought.  The  day  was 
spent  in  accommodating  the  affair.  The  influence 
of  the  British  Consul  prevailed  ;  and  we  obtained 


30S  /   LIFE   OP 

the  order  of  the  Governor  and  Capt.  Bey  for  free 
passage. 

Sunday,  March  ^d.  Left  Alexandria,  and  joined 
•  Hamet  Bashaw,  at  the  Marabout.  We  had  been 
several  days  delayed  by  the  delinquency  of  Richard 
Farquhar,  to  whom  I  had  intrusted  the  commissary's 
and  quartermaster's  department,  and  to  whom  from 
time  to  time  I  advanced  a  sum  of  S1350,  which  he 
chiefly  embezzled  or  misapplied.  In  consequence 
of  which  I  discharged  him ;  and  was  obliged  to 
make  myself  the  provisions  for  our  passage  through 
the  desert. 

March  ^th.  Messrs.  Briggs,  brothers,  and  Doctor 
Mendrici  visited  camp.  Witnessed  the  conventioc 
concluded  with  Hamet  Bashaw,  on  the  S3d  Februs- 
Ty.  Liquidated  the  account  of  monies  they  had  ad- 
vanced for  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  took 
leave.  Their  whole  amount  of  advances  SI  6,5001 
Balance  due  them  812,500.  Paid  by  Capt.  Hull 
S4O00. 

March  5th.  Freighted  a  caravan  of  190  camels, 
as  I  supposed  for  the  passage,  at  S 1 1  per  head. 
The  Chiek  il  Taiib  raised  fresh  demands  for  cash  ; 
and  seemed  determined  to  retard  the  march  until  his 
pretensions  were  satisfied.  Pacified  him  with  prom- 
ises. 

March  Qth.  Broke  up  camp  and  marched  to  Arab's 
tower,  forty  miles  from  Alexandria,  leaving  part  of 
our  baggage  behind.  This  tower  is  an  immense 
ruin  of  regular  fortification,  of  freestone,  about 
three  hundred  feet  squaie,  the  walls  five  feet  thick 
and  thiity  two  high,  with  bastions  at  the  angles,  and 
battlements  on  the  curtains.  In  its  vicinity  are  cat- 
acombs and  other  excavations  in  the  ridge  of  a  free- 
stone mountain  upon  which  it  stands,  and  which 
divides  the  sea  shor6  from  the  barren  plains  in  the 
rear.  From  Alexandria  to  this  post  is  a  desert. 
The  tower  is  not  Arabian  architecture  but  Greek. 

March  7th,  The  rear  of  our  baggage  came  up. 


GEN.    EATON.  30S^ 

March  8th.  Arranged  oar  caravan  and  organised 
our  force  ;  which  now  consisted  of  nine  Americans, 
including  Lieut.  O'Bannon  and  Mr.  Peck,  a  non- 
commissioned officer  and  six  private  marines ;  a 
company  of  twenty  five  cannoniers,  commanded  by 
Belim  Comb^  and  Lieut.  Connant  and  Koco,  and  a 
comnany  of  thirty  eight  Greeks,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Lucj  Ulovix  and  Lieut.  Constantine.  The  Bash- 
aw's suit  consisted  of  about  ninety  men,  including 
those  who  came  from  Fiaume  and  those  who  joined 
him  since  his  arrival  at  Alexandria.  These,  togeth- 
er with  a  party  of  Arab  cavalry  under  the  orders  of 
the  Cheiks  il  Taiih,  and  Mahamet,  and  including  the 
footmen  and  camel  drivers,  made  our  whole  number 
about  four  nundred.  Our  caravan  consisted  of  one 
hundred  Pud  seven  camels  and  a  few  asses. 

Marched  at  H,  A.  M.  fifteen  miles.  Camped  on 
an  elevated  bluff  upon  the  sea  board.  Good  water 
near  the  shore. 

March  9th.  Remained  in  camp,  some  difiiculties 
with  the  owners  of  the  camels  and  Jiorscs  hired  for 
the  passage.  They  demanded  advanced  pay.  It 
was  not  safe  to  do  it.     They  became  mutinous. 

March  iOth.  The  camel  drivers  and  footmen  who 
followed  the  horses  revolted  and  nmde  a  stand. 
The  Chiek  il  Taiib  had  insinuated  a  suspicion  among 
them  that  if  they  performed  their  services  before  be- 
ing paid,  the  Christians  would  be  apt  to  defraud 
them.  The  Bashaw  seemed  irresolute  and  dispond- 
ent.  Money,  more  money  was  the  only  stiraulous 
which  could  give  motion  to  the  camp.  The  fore- 
noon was  consumed,  and  no  appearances  of  a  dispo- 
sition to  proceed  ahead.  I  ordered  the  Christians 
under  arras  and  feinted  a  countermarch  ;  threatening 
to  abandon  the  expedition  and  their  Bashaw,  unless 
the  march  in  advance  proceeded  immediately.  This 
project  took  effect ;  the  mutiny  was  suppressed  ; 
and  we  marched  twelve  miles. 

March  iith.  Marched  twenty  miles. 

March  i2th.  Marched  twenty  one  miles. 


804)      -  LIFE    OF 

March  iSth.  Marched  twenty  five  miles.  These 
three  days  we  have  passed  low  sand  vallies  and 
rocky,  desert  plains.  Few  ve stages  of  ruins  except 
a  castle  fifty  miles  from  Arab's  tower,  which  has  all 
the  appearance  of  Grecian  architecture.  About  2 
o'clock,  P.  M.  this  day,  a  courier  met  the  Bashaw, 
from  Derne ;  informed  him  that  the  province  was  '^^m- 
ed  in  his  defence,  and  the  Governor  shut  within  the 
walls  of  his  castle,  (which  we  afterwards  found  to 
be  false.)  In  consequence  of  this  good  news  feats 
of  horsemanship  and  a  feude  joie  were  exhibited  in 
front  of  the  Bashaw,  by  his  people.  Our  foot  Arabs, 
who  were  in  the  rear  with  the  baggage,  hearing  the 
firing,  and  apprehending  that  we  were  attacked  by 
the  wild  Arabs  of  the  desert,  attempted  to  disarm  and 
put  to  death  the  Christians  who  escorted  the  caravan. 
They  were  prevented  by  an  Arab  of  some  consider- 
ation among  tiiem,  who  insisted  that  prudence  dic- 
tated they  should  suspend  their  execution  till  the 
cause  of  the  firing  should  be  known.  At  this  camp- 
ing ground,  on  the  seaboard,  are  numerous  wells  of 
great  deptli  cut  through  solid  rock,  and  producing 
water  of  a  pretty  good  quality.  A  little  to  the  west- 
Ward  is  a  handsome  bay  about  twenty  miles  deep 
and  fifteen  broad. 

March  14if/z.  Marched  twenty  six  miles,  over  a 
barren  rocky  plain.  Passed  some  vestages  of  an- 
cient fortifications  :  raised  and  encamped  upon  the 
dividing  ridge  between  Egypt  and  Tripoli,  near  a 
cistern  of  excellent  water.  The  scite  of  the  ridge  a 
vast  plain,  barren  of  vegetation. 

March  idth.  Marched  twenty  five  miles  :  camped 
in  a  ravine,  at  the  head  of  which  we  found  rain  wa- 
ter, preserved  in  natural  reservoirs  excavated  in  the 
rocks  by  the  cascades  of  water  during  the  winter 
rains. 

The  night  was  cold  and  rainy.  A  musket,  bayo- 
net, cartoucli  box,  and  cartridges,  stolen  by  the  A- 
rabs  from  the  marine  tent,  and  all  our  provisions  of 
cheese  from  the  magasioe.     We  had  heretofore   ex- 


GEN.    fiATON.  305 

perienccd  daily  losses  of  provisloug  and  barley,  which 
they  stole  and  concealed. 

March  i6th.  Bold,  high  winds  from  W.  N.  W. 
heavy  thunder  and  incessant  rain.  Remained  in 
camp.  At  3,  P.  M.  our  camp  inundated.  Moved 
to  high  ground.  At  the  foot  of  this  ravine  is  an  ex- 
tensive bay  of  the  sea. 

March  i7th.  Morning  rainy.  Our  Arabs  refused 
to  proceed  farther  without  money.  Reconciled 
them  with  promises.  Marched  twelve  miles — 
camped  in  a  deep  ravine  :  some  small  brush  and 
good  rain  water. 

March  iStL  Marched  fifteen  miles  io  a  castle 
called  by  the  Arabs  Masroscah  :  an  extensive  plain 
valley,  surrounded  in  the  rear  and  flanks  by  a  stony 
desert,  and  in  front  by  white  sand  drifts  of  great 
height,  which  cuts  the  view  from  the  sea.  In  this 
valley  are  four  vestages  of  ancient  fabrications,  gar- 
dens, mansion  and  pleasure  houses,  evidence  of  for- 
mer cultivation  and  im^xrovement,  of  which  the  place 
is  very  susceptible  ;  though  now  all  lies  buried  in 
ruins,  except  some  miserable  patches  of  badly  culti- 
vated wheat  and  barley.  Here  was  a  Chiek,  who 
held  the  castle,  and  a  few  Arab  families  in  tents. 
The  modern  castle  is  a  square  of  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet,  built  of  rough  stone,  about  eleven  feet 
high,  without  bastions  or  battlements  ;  but  with  loop 
holes.  It  is  the  deposit  of  thie  produce  and  traffic  of 
the  place.  Cattle,  sheep,  goats,  fowls,  butter  in 
skins,  dates  and  milk,  were  found  and  oflFered  for 
sale  ;  but  very  dear. 

I  now  learned,  for  the  first  time,  that  our  caravan 
v/as  freighted  by  the  Bashaw  onl^  to  this  place,  and 
that  the  owners  had  received  no  part  of  their  pay. 
No  persuasion  could  prevail  on  them  to  proceed  to 
Bomba,  nor  to  wait  our  arrival  thither  for  their  pay. 
They  alledged  that  they  had  fulfiled  their  engage- 
ment with  the  Bashaw,  and  would  now  return  to 
their  families  in  Behara,  for  who§e  safety  they  had 

39 


306  LIFK   OF 

serious  apprehensions  from  the  Kerdiief  of  Deman- 
hour.    The  Chiek  il  Taiib  favored  their  pretensions. 

I  promised  to  procure  the  cash  for  their  payment 
on  condition  that  they  would  proceed  two  days  fur- 
ther,  where  we  expected  to  find  Arab  tribes  and  hire 
another  caravan.  This  they  engaged  to  do.  I  re- 
duced my  stock  of  cash  to  three  Venitian  sequins, 
andj  with  a  hundred  and  forty  dollars  borrov/ed  of 
the  Christian  officers  and  men,  passed  into  the  hands 
of  the  Bashaw,  six  hundred  and  seventy  three  dol- 
lars ;  which  sura,  together  with  Avhat  he  raised  a- 
mong  his  own  people,  enabled  him  to  meet  the  claims 
of  these  chiefs  of  the  caravan. 

Jlarch  IQth.  The  Bashaw  paid  oif  his  caravan, 
who  promised  to  proceed  two  days  march  ahead. 
But,  the  same  night,  all  except  forty  of  them  drew 
off  for  Egypt ;  and  the  others  refused  to  proceed, 
leaving  us  in  a  perplexed  and  embarrassed  situa- 
tion ;  as  it  was  impossible  to  move  without  the  cara- 
van, and  uncertain  Avhether  we  could  procure  them 
to  start  from  this  place.  The  Bashaw  proposed  de- 
positing our  baggage  in  the  castle  and  proceeding  for- 
ward to  the  camp  of  sundry  tribes,  who  expected  him, 
two  or  three  days  march  ahead.  This  I  rejected  ; 
being  now  destitute  of  cash,  to  proceed  without  pro- 
visions would  be  throwing  too  much  on  contingency. 

March  20th.  Last  night  the  rest  of  the  camels  left 
us,  to  return  to  Egypt.  1  now  discovered  a  complot 
betvveen  the  Chiek  il  Taiib  and  sundry  other  chiefs, 
at  which  I  thought  the  Bashaw  connived,  purporting 
a  resolution  to  proceed  no  further  until  they  should 
have  assurance  of  the  arrival  of  our  vessels  at  Bom- 
ba.  A  report  had  been  started,  said  to  be  brought 
by  a  pilgrim  on  his  way  from  Morocco  to  Mecca, 
that  a  force  consisting  of  eight  hundred  cavalry  and 
numerous  foot  were  on  their  march  from  Tripoli  for 
the  defence  of  Berne,  and  were  actually  passed  Ben- 
gazi.  I  thought  this  an  argument  that  urged  accel- 
eration ratiier  than  delay.  A  great  deal  of  noise  and 
some  counsel  were  heard  among  the  Bey's  chiefs,  in 


GEN.    EATON.  307 

which  I  was  not  consulted,  and  a  final  resolution 
taken  that  they  would  remain  on  the  spot  till  a  run- 
ner could  go  to  Bomba  and  return.  In  consequence 
of  which  I  ordered  their  rations  stopped,  and  resolv- 
ed myself  to  take  possession  of  tlie  castle  and  fortify 
myself  there  until  I  could  get  intelligence  to  our  na- 
val detachment  to  come  to  our  relief,  when  I  would 
take  off  our  Christians  and  leave  them  to  take  measures 
for  their  own  subsistence  and  safety.  It  was  now 
twelve  o'clock  at  night.  I  left  the  Arab  chiefs  in  the 
Bashaw's  tent,  confused  and  embarrassed,  and  re- 
tired to  my  own  markee  and  reflections. 

We  have  marched  a  distance  of  two  hundred 
miles,  through  an  inhospitable  waste  of  world  with- 
out seeing  the  habitation  of  an  animated  being,  or 
the  tracks  of  man,  except  where  superstition  has 
marked  her  lonely  steps  over  burning  sands  and 
rocky  mountains,  whence  the  revelation  of  one  of  lier 
most  hypocritical  fanatics  trains  her  wretched  vic- 
tims a  tedious  pilgrimage  to  pay  their  devotion  at 
his  shrine.  But  while  we  reproach  the  impostor  we 
cannot  but  ascribe  some  gocd  to  the  effect  of  the  im- 
position :  it  has  here  and  there  opened  a  water 
source  to  its  votaries,  which  now  allays  the  thirst  of 
pilgrims,  bound  across  tliis  gloomy  desert  on  pur- 
suits vastly  different  from  those  which  lead  to 
Mecca  ;  the  liberation  of  tlu'ee  hundred  Americans 
from  the  chains  of  Barbarism,  and  a  manly  peace. 

March  2ist.  The  position  taken  yesterday  had 
its  effect.  Fifty  camels  were  prevailed  on  to  return 
to  us,  and  to  go  on  two  days  further.  We  marched 
at  11,  A.  J>f.  and  proceeded  to  an  elevated  stony 
plain  barren,  about  13  miles,  where  we  found  good 
cistern  water. 

March  22d.  Marched  13  1-2  miles.  At  3,  P.  M. 
arrived  at  an  extensive  inclined  plain,  bordering  on 
the  sea,  called  in  Arabic  Oak  Jcorar  ke  harre,  a- 
midst  camps  of  numerous  Arabs,  consisting  of  three 
tribes  of  the  Eu  ed  alii  race,  supposed  to  amount  to 
the  number  of  3  or  4,000  souls,   inclusively,   cover- 


308  LIFE   OF 

ing  a  grouud  in  a  detached  manner  of  19  or  20 
leagues  cireumfereHce.  Here  were  vast  herds  of 
camels,  horses  and  cattle  and  innumerable  flocks  of 
sheep  and  goats.  We  were  the  first  Christians  ever 
seen  by  these  wild  people.  We  were  viewed  by  them 
as  curiosities.  They  laughed  at  the  oddity  of  our 
dress  ;  gazed  at  our  polished  arms  with  astonish- 
ment :  at  the  same  time  they  observed  the  greatest 
deference  towards  such  of  us  as  bore  any  distinctive 
marks  of  office.  They  brought  us  for  sale  every 
thing  their  camps  afforded,  and  as  rarities  offered  ua 
young  gazels  and  ostriches.  But  being  destitute  of 
cash,  we  could  only  exchange  our  rice  for  their  prod- 
uce. We  found  dates  here,  which  we*re  brought 
five  days  journey  from  the  interior  of  Africa,  of  an 
excellent  quality.  All  our  grain  (barley  and  beans) 
for  the  horses  exhausted.  Dispatched  a  courier 
with  letters  to  Capt.  Hull  at  Bomba. 

March  2Sd.  Continued  in  camp.  Eighty  mounted 
warriors  joined  the  Bashaw  :  all  appear  attached  to 
him  •  but  we  want  the  means  to  engage  their  ser- 
vices. Cash,  we  find,  is  the  only  deity  of  Arabs^  as 
well  as  Turks.  Good  feed  for  our  horses  :  rain  wa- 
ter in  great  abundance,  preserved  in  cavities  of  rocks 
worn  by  torrents  of  water  descending  from  the  high 
grounds  in  our  rear.  But  our  provision  is  reduced 
to  hard  bread  and  rice.  From  Alexandria  to  this 
place  there  is  not  a  living  stream,  nor  rivulet,  nor 
spring  of  water. 

March2'ith.  Remained  in  camp.  Freighted  a  cara- 
van of  90  camels  at  S 11  per  head,  to  Bomba. 

March  25ih.  Forty  seven  tents  of  Arabs  joined  us 
with  their  families  and  moveables.  In  this  detach- 
ment are  one  hundred  and  fifty  warriors  on  foot. 
The  Arabs  of  this  place  have  never  seen  bread.  On 
first  offering  them  biscuit,  they  examined  it  careful- 
ly ;  and,  breaking  it  with  their  sheplierds  club  or 
hatchet,  tasted  it  with  symtoms  of  hesitation  ;  find- 
ing it  palatable  they  sought  every  means  to  obtain  it 
from  us.     They  arepeciiarly  fond  of  rice.     A  wo- 


GEN.    EATON. 


309 


man  offered  her  daughter  to  my  interpreter  for  a 
sack  of  it  :  and  the  girl  consented  to  the  traffic. 
She  was  a  well  proportioned,  handsome  hrunette 
of  about  thirteen  or  fourteen  years,  with  an  expres- 
sive hazel  eye,  inclining  to  black,  arched  eye  brows, 
perfect  teeth,  and  lips  formed  for  voluptuousness.  A 
bargain  would  have  been  concluded  if  my  consent 
could  have  been  accorded  ;  prudence  forbid  it.  The 
Arabs  of  the  desert  are  generally  well  built,  arc  ac- 
tive, but  timid,  jealous  and  thievish. 

March  2Qth.  A  courier  from  Derne,  in  the  interest 
of  the  Bashaw,  brings  intelligence  that  five  hundred 
o.f  Joseph  Bashaw's  cavalry,  accompanied  by  great 
numbers  of  Arabs,  both  horse  and  foot,  were  a  few 
days  march  from  that  place,  and  v,  ould  certainly 
arrive  before  it  would  be  possible  that  wc  could. 
The  alarm  excited  by  this  information  arrested  our 
motions.  The  Bashaw  seemed  to  hesitate  wliether 
to  proceed  farther.  The  camel  drivers  lied  with 
their  caravan  :  and  there  seemed  to  be  a  combination 
among  the  Bashaw's  people  and  the  Arabs  of  Beha- 
ra  to  return  to  Fiaum.  I  again  suspended  their  ra-, 
tions  ;  forbidding  any  more  issues  till  the  caravan 
should  return  and  the  march  proceed  ahead.  A 
council  was  heljd  :  despondency  sat  in  every  counte- 
nance. About  eleven,  A.  M.  I  learned  that  tlie  Chi- 
ek  il  Taiib  had  resolved  to  proceed  no  farther  until 
certain  intelligence  arrive  of  our  vessels  being  at 
Bomba.  I  could  not  but  reproach  that  cliief  with 
want  of  courage  and  fidelity.  He  had  promised 
much  and  fulfiled  nothing.  I  regretted  having  been 
made  acquainted  with  him  ;  and  should  be  well  sat- 
isfied if  he  would  put  his  menace  in  execution  of  re- 
turning to  Egypt,  provided  he  would  not  interfere 
with  the  dispositions  of  other  chiefs.  He  quit  the 
camp  in  a  rage,  swearing  by  all  the  force  of  his  re- 
ligion to  join  us  no  more.  The  Bashaw  would  have 
sent  an  officer  to  pacify  and  bring  him  back.  I  ob- 
jected. And  he  took  himself  off  v/ith  a  small  de- 
tachment of  his  tribe. 


310  LIFE   OF 

March  27iJi.  The  Cbiek  il  Taiib  excited  an  in- 
surrection  among  the  Arabs  of  this  place  who  had 
engaged  to  proceed  with  us  ;  drew  off  half  their 
number ;  and,  putting  himself  at  their  head,  started 
for  Egypt.  The  Bashaw  sent  a  messenger  to  me 
praying  that  I  would  dispatch  an  officer  to  request 
him  in  my  name  to  return.  I  answered  that  no  con- 
sideration whatever  could  prevail  on  me  to  ask  as  a 
favor  what  I  claimed  as  a  right.  The  services  of 
that  chief  were  due  to  us  :  we,  had  paid  for  them  ; 
and  he  had  pledged  his  faith  to  render  them  with  fi- 
delity. It  did  not  belong  to  him,  at  this  period,  to 
make  terms  nor  dictate  measures  :  I  should  not  de- 
base myself  to  propose  an  accommodation.  The 
Bashaw  was  apprehensive  that  he  w^ould  turn  his  in- 
flneuee  and  take  a  part  against  us.  Let  Jiim  do  it. 
1  like  an  open  enemy  better  than  a  treacherous 
friend.  Whin  he  shall  have  taken  this  ground  it 
will,  perhaps,  give  me  an  opportunity  to  punish  e- 
ventually  what  I  would  do  summarily  if  the  respect 
I  had  for  his  Excellency  did  vot  prevent  it.  I  had 
a  rife  and  a  sabre  true  to  their  distance.  Carry  the 
message  to  the  chief.  He  was  mad  with  rage ;  and 
swore  vengeance  against  the  Bashaw,  and  his  Chris- 
tian sovereigns,  as  he  stiled  us.  I  ordered  a  march. 
We  got  under  way  at  half  past  7?  A.  M.  At  10,  a 
messenger  came  from  the  Chiek  to  assure  us  that  he 
had  taken  up  his  march  for  Behara. 

Since  he  has  taken  that  rout,  I  have  nothing  fur- 
ther with  him  hut  to  take  steps  for  the  recovery  of  the 
cash  and  property  he  has  fraudulently  drawn  from 
me.  Continued  the  march.  At  12  o'clock  another 
messenger.  "  The  Chiek  il  Taiib  will  join  if  the 
camp  haltseasonably.'^  The  Bashaw  desired,  and 
we  halted  at  half  past  12.  About  an  hour  and  half 
after,  tlie  Chiek  hove  in  sight  with  his  party  :  soon 
after  came  up  ;  and,  presenting  himself  at  my  mar- 
kee,  with  visible  chagrin  in  his  countenance,  said, 
"  you  see  the  influence  I  have  among  these  people  !" 


GEN.    EATON.  311 

YeSf  and  I  see  also  the  disgraceful  use  you  make  of 
it.     We  gained  about  five  miles  to  day. 

March  28th.  I  perceived  a  manifest  reluctance  in 
the  Bashaw  to  advance,  and  evident  calculations  for 
a  retrograde  march.  Joseph  Bashaw's  forces  had 
seized  on  all  his  nerves.  He  now  took  from  my  of- 
ficers the  horses  he  had  given  them  for  the  passage 
through  the  desert,  and  gave  them  to  some  of  his 
footmen.  Drew  oif  his  Mahometans,  and  stood  bal- 
ancing, after  the  troops  were  drawn  up  for  the  march. 
I  reproached  him  with  indecision,  want  of  persever- 
ance, and  of  consistency  in  arrangement.  I  demand- 
ed the  horses  for  my  officers.  High  words  ensued. 
I  ordered  the  march  in  front.  The  Bashaw  retro- 
graded. We  proceeded  in  front  with  the  baggage. 
The  Bashaw  came  up  in  about  two  hours  ;  and, 
making  us  some  compliments  for  our  firmness,  said, 
he  was  obliged  to  dissemble  an  acquiescence  in  the 
wishes  of  his  people  to  render  them  manageable. 
We  proceeded  12  and  an  half  miles  to  a  castle 
ShemeeSf  and  camped  at  one  o'clock,  P.  M.  In  the 
evening,  discovered  that  the  Arabs  who  had  joined 
us  on  the  25th,  and  who,  as  we  expected  were  follow- 
ing us,  had  all  taken  up  their  march  for  the  borders 
of  Egypt.  The  Chiek  il  Taiib  had  discouraged  and 
dissuaded  them  from  pursuing  tlie  expedition.  The 
Bashaw  sentolTa  General  officer  with  sundry  horse- 
men  to  bring  them  back  by  persuasion. 

Hamet  Grurgies,   the  otiicer  who  went  for  the  A- 
rabs,  did  not  return  this  day. 

March  2Qth.  Remained  in  camp,  waiting  for 
Hamet  Gurgies.  At  this  castle,  which  is  a  rough 
stone  wall,  laid  in  clay  mortar,  about  ten  feet  high, 
without  bastions,  and  one  hundred  feet  square,  there- 
seems  to  be  some  trade  with  the  inhabitants  of  the 
interior  of  Africa.  We  find  here,  cattle,  sheep, 
butter,  fowls,  eggs,  and  dates,  but  very  dear  ;  and 
for  which  we  bartered  rice  at  great  disadvantage. 
The  situation  is  enchanting  ;  vast  plains,  capable  of 
high   cultivation ;  good   well  water  ;  and  some  en- 


3iS  LIFE    0¥ 

closed  gardens  of  fig  and  palm  trees.  But  every 
thing  bears  the  ruinous  aspect  of  ravage  and  war. 
About  four,  P.  M.  Hamet  Gurgies  came  up  with  the 
Arabs  who  separated  themselves   from   us   on  the 

37th. 

March  SOth.  At  6,  A.  M.  resumed  our  march 
with  the  Christians  and  baggage,  leaving  the  Bash- 
aw to  follow  with  his  Arabs,  who  were  mounted  for 
the  purpose.  At  this  instant  a  dispute  arose  between 
the  Cliiek  il  Taiib  and  Chaik  Mahamet  concerning 
the  distribution  of  S  1500  ;  which  the  former  had 
received  of  the  Bashaw  to  be  equally  distributed  ;  a 
part  of  which  he  had  concealed  ;  and  grew  so  warm 
that  Maham-et  swore  he  would  proceed  no  farther. 
Three  other  Chaifes  and  several  other  considerable 
Arabs  took  part  with  him,  and  retrograded.  The 
Bashaw  in  vain  endeavored  to  reconcile  the  parties. 
Chaik  Mahamet  persisted  in  quitting  the  expedition ; 
and  with  his  party  moved  rapidly  off.  The  Bashaw 
left  them,  and  hastily  pursued  us,  with  a  view  of  ar- 
resting our  march,  having  sent  back  Hamet  Gurgies 
and  two  other  officers  to  endeavor  to  recover  the  mal- 
contents. We  had  gained  fifteen  miles  ahead  when 
he  came  up  with  us  at  S  o'clock,  P.  M.  But  it  was 
necessary  to  retrograde  three  miles  to  water,  and 
there  camp.  The  expedition  could  not  proceed 
without  those  chiefs,  as  they  had  many  people  and 
powerful  influence  with  the  Eu  eil  alii  tribe  near 
Berne,  to  which  they  belong. 

Pitched  our  camp  at  5,  P.  M. 

The  Bashaw  with  twelve  horsemen  and  my  inter- 
preter returned  to  the  castle  in  hopes  of  reconciling 
the  Chieks  and  of  bringing  up  their  party.  This 
will  detain  us  tomorrow.  1^'rom  Alexandria  to  this 
place,  we  have  experienced  continual  altercations, 
contentions  and  delays  among  the  Arabs.  They 
have  no  sense  of  patriotism,  truth  nor  honor  ;  and  no 
attachment  where  they  have  no  prospect  of  gain,  ex- 
cept to  their  religion,  to  which  they  are  enthusiasts. 
Poverty  makes  them  thieves^  and  practice  renders 


BEN.    EATON.  313 

tlieto  adroit  in  stealing.  The  instant  the  eye  of  vig- 
ilance is  turned  from  an  object  on  which  they  have  fix- 
ed a  desire,  it  is  no  more  to  be  found.  Arms,  ammu- 
nition and  provisions,  most  engage  their  furtive  spec- 
ulations ;  but  sundry  of  our  people  have  been  rob- 
bed of  their  cloaths  and  other  articles.  With  all 
their  depravity  of  morals  they  possess  a  savage  inde- 
pendence of  soul,  an  incorrigible  obstinacy  to  disci- 
pline, a  sacred  adherence  to  the  laws  of  hospitality, 
and  a  scrupulous  pertinacity  to  their  religious  faith 
and  ceremonies.  Day  before  yesterday  I  was  admit- 
ted, as  a  mark  of  special  distinction,  within  the 
walls  of  their  castle.  Curiosity  brought  every  Arab 
about  me  who  belonged  to  the  tribe.  They  exam- 
ined the  lace  of  my  hat,  epaulettes,  buttons,  spurs, 
and  mounting  of  my  arms.  These  they  took  to  be 
all  gold  and  silver.  They  were  astonished  that 
God  should  permit  people  to  possess  such  riches  who 
folloiced  the  religion  of  the  devil  ! 

My  interpreter  explained  that  the  religion  of  the 
Americans  was  different  from  that  of  ail  other  nations 
who  wore  hois  ;  (the  hat  and  fnrban  are  distinguish- 
ing marks  of  Christian  and  Turk  :)  that  we  believ- 
ed in  God  and  respected  all  his  revelations  ;  that 
we  made  no  distinction  in  our  respect  to  people  of 
different  creeds  ;  all  were  free  witli  us  to  worship  God 
as  their  consciences  dictated;  and  that  all  honest  men 
were  equally  respected  in  America.  They  could  hard- 
ly comprehend  this  description  of  Christians  any  where 
existed.  He  added  that  I  was  a  good  man,  and  a 
great  friend  to  Mussulmen.  They  had  heard  so. 
Haraet  Bashaw's  people  had  told  them  every  thing 
that  I  had  done  for  them.  They  lamented  that  so 
good  a  man  should  go  to  hell.  While  I  continued  an 
IniidelT  must  expect  to  be  damned.  I  should  escape 
hell  and  go  to  the  paradise  of  Malioraet  if  I  would 
only  repeat  one  word  after  them,  Allah  Mlah  Ma- 
hammed  Benallahy  which  they  repeatedly  pronounc- 
ed, and  desired,  by  the  esteem  they  felt  for  me,  that 
i  would  repeat  after  them.     1  answered,  that  in  A- 

40 


314?  LIFE    OF 

merica,  v  e  made  no  account  of  a  religior.  '>\hicli  con- 
sisted only  in  words.  God  had  promised  us  a  heav- 
en distinct  from  that  of  Papists  and  Mussulmen, 
where  we  should  admit  all  good,  men  who  should 
clioose  to  come  over  to  us,  and  be  permitted  ourselves 
at  discretion  to  make  parties  of  pleasure  into  the 
paradise  of  Mahomet  and  the  heaven  of  the  Papists. 
They  doubted  my  story.  I  told  them  I  had  assur- 
ances myself  of  being  well  received  and  civilly  treat- 
ed by  those  opposite  prophets,  as  I  had  very  many 
friends  among  the  followers  of  both.  They  smiled 
at  this  idea  ;  but  confessed  they  should  be  very  glad 
to  see  me  in  their  paradise  ;  though  they  doubted 
whether  Mahomet  would  permit  me  to  come  there, 
even  on  a  visit,  unless  I  confessed  him  and  became 
a  true  believer. 

A  good  Christian  would  have  given  me  the  same 
admonition.  How  frail  is  human  reason  !  How  ab- 
surd is  the  pride  of  bigotry  !  Yet  how  happy  are 
tllese  ignorant  Arabs  in  their  faith  and  intolerance  I 
A  desert  their  patrimony ;  a  wretched  hut  their 
dwelling  5  a  blanket  their  bed  and  wardrobe  ;  a 
a  wooden  bowl  and  spoon  their  furniture  ;  and 
milk  and  roots  their  food.  Like  the  patriarchs  of  old, 
they  "  Seek  a  country."  Their  hope  is  in  heaven, 
^f  arriving  there  tliey  have  the  faith  of  assurance. 
They  are  contented. 

The  climate  of  the  desert  is  pure  and  healtliful. 
Though  placed  und«r  an  arid  sun,  it  has  a  constant 
refreshing  sea  breeze  by  day  and  land  breeze  by 
night.  No  frosts,  and  no  storms  :  gentle  rains  only 
during  the  winter  months,  and  sometimes  wind  and 
thunder,  but  not  immoderate. 

,  Men  seem  not  to  sicken  here  ;  and  only  die  by 
the  easy  and  tranquil  declension  of  age.  Tiiey  con- 
sider seventy  to  eighty  years  the  usual  term  of  life  ; 
but  I  have  seen  men  and  women  who  count  upwards 
of  an  hundred,  and  such  very  common.  They  are 
free  from  chronic  diseases.  Kven  <)pthalmy,  which 
seems  contagious  in  Eg^ pt  and  Barbary,  effects  do- 


GEX.    EATON.  315 

fcody  here  :  and  the  plague  is  not  known  among 
them. 

March  3ist.  Remained  in  camp.  Very  rainy  day, 
with  thunder  and  wind ;  the  supceediug  evening 
chilly.     The  Bashaw  absent. 

jljjril  ist.  Chiek  il  Taiib  put  himself  at  the  head 
of  five  Shieks,  three  of  whom  weiR   of  the  caravan, 
and  presented  himself  at   my   markee  to  demand  an 
augmentation  of  the  ration.     I  refused.     He  menac- 
ed.    1  reproached. him  as  the  cause  of  all  our  delays 
in  the  march?  and  with  a  total  failure  of  ail  his  en- 
gagements   with  me.     ^He  had  engaged   me  four 
hundred  mounted  Arabs  of  his  tribe  at  the  Marabout 
and  to  bring  me  to  Bomba  in   fourteen  days.      His 
whole  number  of  men  consisted  of  but  twenty  eight ; 
we  had  now  been  twenty  five  days   in   gaining  half 
our  distance  :  and,  instead  of  encouraging  our  pro- 
gress,  he  was  on  all  occasions  throwing  obstacles  in 
our  way.     He  recriminated  the  Bashaw  and  other 
Chicks.  I  thought  the  Bashaw  and  Chicks  he  accus- 
ed better  men  than   himself;;   .and   w^ould   not  Jicar 
them  calumniated.     He, believed  me  partial.     I  said 
to  him,  if  he  had  experienced  any   evidence  of  my 
partiality  it  was  in  his  favor  until  after  his  hypocrisy 
betrayed  itself.     It  was  tr.re  I  now  held   him  in  no 
coneideration,  for  I  could  place  no  reliance  in  any 
thing  he  said  or  undertook.     He  seemed  very  indif- 
ferent about  the  opinion  I  entertained   of  him,  pro- 
vided he  could  obtain  his  object.    -He   cautioned  me 
against  persisting  in  the  resolution  -1  had  taken  not 
to  augment  the  ra,tion  ;  it  would   unavoidably  pro- 
duce an  insurrection.  The  other  Chieks  and  caravan 
would  leave  me.     As  for  himself,  he  could  not  sub- 
sist on  rice  alone  ;  he  would  have  bread  also.     I  ask- 
ed him  if  he  thought   to  compel  the  measure  ?  He 
said,  with  a  menacing  tone,  "Remember  you  are  in  a, 
desert,  and  a  country  not  your  own."'  I  am  a  greater 
man  here  than  either  you  or  the   Bashaw.     I  retort- 
ed :  I  have  found  you  at  the  head  of  every  commo- 
tion which  has  happened  since  we   left  Alexandria. 


316  LIFE    OF 

You  are  the  instigator  of  the  present  among  the 
chiefs.  Leave  my  tent  !  but  mark  ;  if  I  find  a  mu- 
tiny in  camp  during  the  absence  of  the  Bashaw,  I 
will  put  you  (o  instant  death  as  the  fomenter  of  it.'' 
Ke  left  the  tent  ;  mounted  his  horse  ;  and,  with 
tv.  o  other  Chieks,  took  himself  off.  The  Bashaw's 
Hasnadar  (treasurer)  had  been  called  into  my  tent  on 
the  entrance  of  the  Chiek  il  Taiib.  He  had  the  in- 
fluence to  pacify  the  other  chiefs,  or  to  engage  them 
to  wait  at  least  till  the  return  of  the  Bashaw.  Now 
10  o'clock  and  no  news  of  him.  %  o'clock,  P.  M.  the 
Chiek  il  Taiib  returned.  Entered  into  the  tent  of 
my  officers  :  regretted  that  he  had  lost  my  confi- 
dence :  apprehended  that  some  secret  enemy  had  in- 
sinuated unfavorable  impressions  against  him  :  was 
devoted  to  me  :  would  even  abandon  the  Bashaw  to 
follow  me ;  and  begged  Mr.  Farquhar  and  Peck 
to  use  their  influence  for  a  reconciliation. 

Five,  P.  M.  He  came  to  my  tent  :  professed  eter- 
nal obligations  and  attachment  :  would  seek  every 
occasion  to  give  proofs  of  it ;  and  hoped  that  an  op- 
portunity would  offer  to  him  at  Heme  to  convince 
me  tliat  he  was  a  man  ! 

I  replied  that  I  required  nothing  of  him  by  way 
of  reconciliation  but  truth,  fidelity  to  the  Bashaw, 
pacific  conduct  among  the  other  chiefs,  uniformity 
and  perseverance  in  this  conduct. 

These  he  promised  by  an  oath  ;  and  offered  me 
his  hand.  6  o'clock,  P.  M.  The  Bashaw  not  return- 
ed :  apprehensive  that  he  has  suffered  himself  to 
fall  into  a  snare  of  his  brother.  The  day  has  been 
rainy,  blowing,  and  chilly. 

Visited  the  Arab  camp.  Their  young  men, 
young  women  and  children  are  perfectly  well  made, 
and  though  copper  colored,  are  handsome.  Never 
saw  teeth  so  universally  sound  and  white,  even  and 
well  set.  The  women  do  not  veil  :  have  nothing  of 
the  affected  reserve  and  bigoted  pride  of  the  Turks; 
yet  in  their  general  deportment  modest  and  bashful. 
1  took  dates  in  the  teut  of  their  principal  Chiek :  one 


GEN.    EAXaN.  317 

of  his  wives  served  them  in  an  ozier  pannier,  and 
seemed  elated  with  the  visit.  I  complimented  her 
elegant  proportion  and  symmetry.  Slie.  smiled,  and 
said  there  were  much  handsomer  youni^  women  in 
camp  than  herself.  I  douhted  it.  To  give  me 
proof,  sundry  fine  girls  and  young  married  women 
were  invited  in.  I  admitted  they  were  very  hand- 
some, but  could  not  give  up  my  first  opinion. 

*April  2d.  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  The  Bashaw  returned, 
accompanied  by  the  Chieks  Mahamet  and  others 
who  separated  themselves  from  us  on  the  30th  ult, 
Whom  he  had  overtaken  on  their  route  to  the  prov- 
ince of  Behara,  two  hours  march  eastward  of  the  cas- 
tle Massarah,  the  ground  of  our  encampment  from 
the  15th  to  21st  ultimo ;  a  distance  of  fifty  nine 
miles.  He  rode  all  night  of  the  31  st,  and  succeed- 
ing day  in  an  uncomfortable  fall  of  rain  and  chilly 
winds,  and  subsisted  his  party  during  the  expedition 
on  milk  and  dates  which  were  occasionally  brought 
lura  by  the  desert  Arabs. 

At  7  in  the  evening  a  meeting  of  the  Bashaw  and 
all  the  Chieks  at  my  tent.  1  exhorted  them,  as  on 
other  instances  of  disagreement,  to  union  and  perse- 
verance, as  the  only  means  of  insuring  success  to  the 
important  enterprise  in  which  they  were  engaged  ; 
to  which  they  gave  pledges  of  faith  and  honor  ;  and 
orders  were  accordingly  given  to  resume  the  line  of 
march  at  reveillee  beating  tomorrow.  We  have  now 
between  six  and  seven  hundred  fighting  men  on  the 
ground,  exclusive  of  followers  of  the  camp  and 
Beduoin  families,  who  inclusively  make  a  body  of 
about  twelve  hundred  people. 

*lpril  Sd.  Marched  at  six,  A.  M.  advanced  only 
ten  miles  in  front,  when  the  Arabs  pitched  their 
camp  and  insisted  on  remaining  here  until  they  could 
send  a  caravan  five  days  march  into  the  interior  of 
the  desert  to  a  place  called  Seewauk  to  procure 
dates.  We  were  in  a  valley  upon  the  centre  of  a 
vast  elevated  plain,  and  have  excellent  cistern  wa- 
ter.    1  urged  the  march  a  head.     The  Arabs  posi 


318  LIFE   OF 

tively  refused  to  proceed.  They  were  short  of  pro- 
visions,  and  had  no  other  resort.  I  said  those  wants 
would  be  supplied  at  Bomba.  They  replied  that 
this  depended  on  contingency  ;  we  could  not  com- 
mand the  sea.  I  threatened  to  take  off  the  Christ- 
ians. They  intreated  I  would  halt  till  the  next 
morning.  To  this  I  consented,  on  condition  that 
they  would  solemnly  promise  to  tlirow  no  more  im- 
pediments in  the  way  of  our  progress  to  Bomba,  and 
that  they  would  hereafter  yield  implicit  obedience  to 
my  orders  ;  threatening  at  the  same  time  to  embark 
with  the  Bashaw  and  suit  at  that  place,  and  proceed 
directly  to  Tripoli,  leaving  them  to  contend  for  the 
provinces  of  Derne  and  Bengazi  alone  in  case  of 
any  infraction  of  these  conditions.  They  pledged  them- 
selves ;  and  we  encamped.  Their  caravan  went 
off  for  Seewauk,  to  join  us  again  at  Bomba.  The 
Arabs  say  that  at  that  place  is  a  fountain,  or  lake  of 
fresh  water,  of  thre/C  leagues  circumference,  which 
supplies  a  considerable  territory  of  good  land  by 
small  rivulets  descending  from  the  mountains.  It 
does  not  appear  that  this  lake  has  any  issue  to  the 
sea  :  but  the  truth  of  its  existence  is  supported  by 
the  excellent  dates  brought  thence  to  the  castles  on 
the  sea  board  for  sale  ;  a  fruit  only  found  on  low, 
well  watered  ground. 

This  afternoon  a  marriage  was  celebrated  in  the 
Arab  camp.  Two  camels  were  dressed  with  a  spe- 
eies  of  canopy,  resembling  a  covered  waggon,  or 
Lackuey  coach,  traverse,  covered  with  a  species  of 
carpeting,  fabricated  of  camels  hair,  in  imitation  of  that 
of  Smyrna,  supported  by  arches  of  wood  like  hoops., 
&nd  ornamented  with  finer  cloths  of  various  color- 
ings. The  first  ceremonies  had  already  passed  when 
'^he procession  was  announced  tons  by  volliesof  mus- 
ketry. The  bride  and  groom  were  closely,  but  sep- 
;arately,  shut  up  in  these  carriages,  attended  by  sun- 
dry elderly  women,  and  all  the  adult  unmarried  girls 
of  the  camp  on  foot,  and  all  the  warriors  mounted. 
The  women  had  their  places  near  the  camels,  chant- 


GEN.    EATON.  319 

ing  a  savage  kind  of  epithalamium  ;  the  men  per- 
forming feats  of  horsemansliip,  and  an  incessant  /eit 
dejoie.     In  this  manner  they  took  a  circuit  quite  a- 
round  their  own  encampment,  and  then  proceeded  to 
ours,  and  made  the  same  circuit.     After  which  the 
procession  returned  to  two  tents  detached  a  few  rods 
in  the  rear  of  their  line  of  tents,  where  the   camel 
which  carried  the  bride  was  driven  seven  times  round 
the  tent   assigned  for   her  by  the   singing    women. 
The  animal  was  now  made  to  kneel,  the  door  of  the 
carriage  opened,  and  the  bride  precipitated  head  first 
into  the  tent,  where   she  was   surrounded  by  chiefs 
and  matrons,  with  some  young  women,  who  repeated 
a  short  prayer  or  benediction,  when  all  retired,  leav- 
ing the  bride    with  only  her  attendants.     I  had  the 
curiosity,  together  with  the  gentlemen  of  the  expedi- 
tion, to  fall  into  the  procession.     We  were  treated 
with  marks  of  peculiar  distinction  ;  and  great   exer- 
tions w  ere  taken  to  give  us  a  place  near  the  carriag- 
es.    During  the   procession   the  camels  were   fre- 
quently halted,  and  dances  were  performed  by  young 
men  and  girls,   exhibiting  the   most  lascivious  ges- 
tures.    After  the  ceremonies  were  over  it  was  signi- 
fied to  me  that  a  present  would  be  expected  on  the 
occasion.     I  asked  a  cliief  who  would  be  the  proper 
person  to   receive  it  ?  He  pointed  out  a  middle  aged 
woman,  whom  I  observed  to   have  been  very  offi- 
cious during  the  ceremony  of  maiTiage,   and  whom  I 
supposed  to  be  the  mother  of  the  bride,   to  whom  I 
presented  two  half  rupees  of  two  dollars   each:  and 
invited  an  old  man  of  about  fifty  five,  who,  I  took  no- 
tice, seemed  deeply   concerned  in   the  affair,  and 
whom  I  supposed  to  be  tlie  father  of  one  of  the  mar- 
ried couple,  to  accompany  me  to  ray  tent,  and  order- 
ed him  a  small  present  of  extra  provisions.     He  was 
foUovvod  by  sundry  other  Arabs  of  distinction.     Be- 
ing seated  in  the  tent,  conversation  turned  to  ths  mar- 
riage ceremony,  which  led  to  questions  of  the  par- 
entage aad  ages  of  the   married  pair  :  when,  what 
was  my  surprise  to  find  the  old  man  to  whom  we  had 


f^SO  LIFE    OF 

exhibited  our  civilities  to  be  himself  the  groom,  his 
bride  a  girl  ot*  thirteen  years,  and  the  officious  mid- 
dle aged  womau,  whom  I  took  to  be  the  mother,  a- 
nother  wife  of  this  newly  married  dotard.  It  appear- 
ed that  the  old  man  was  a  Chiek  ;  his  new  bride  a 
daughter  of  a  family  of  the  Samerank,  whom  he  had 
bought  of  the  parents,  according  to  custom,  before 
marriage.  We  were  told  that  the  bride  must  yet  re- 
main three  days  in  the  hands  of  matrons  before  con- 
summation. 

Ajpril  ^th.  Marched  at  6,  A.  M.  Halted  at  four 
afternoon.  Gained  eighteen  miles.  This  day  Capt. 
Selem  Comb  chased  down  a  m  ild  cat  with  his  grey 
hound  :  height  two  feet ;  length  from  extremities 
five  feet  ;  color  sable,  brindled  about  the  body  ; 
black  ears  and  nose,  and  dark  brindled  tail  :  it  was 
cooked,  and  it  eat  very  well.  An  Arab,  soon  after, 
brought  me  a  couple  of  her  young  ;  but  they  were 
not  old  enough  to  be  raised. 

At  this  camping  ground  are  two  remarkable  wells, 
between  ninety  five  and  a  hundred  feet  deep,  sunk 
through  solid  rock,  except  about  four  feet  at  the  sur- 
face. The  surrounding  plains  are  a  bed  of  marie  and 
sand  :  and  have  unequivocal  evidence  of  ancient 
cultivation.  Vast  ruins  of  masonry  scattered  in  dif- 
ferent directions  :  the  superstructures  totally  effaced 
by  time. 

d-jwil  dth.  Marched  IS  miles  :  camped  seven 
leagues  distant  from  the  sea  board.  Here  is  a  re- 
markable ancient  castle  of  hewn  stone,  and  regularly 
built,  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  square,  the  Malls 
eighteen  high  and  five  thick,  with  bastions  at  each 
angle,  and  battlements  on  the  curtain  constructed  for 
archers.  In  the  centre  is  a  Avell,  descending  to  an 
immense  cistern,  cut  in  solid  rock,  extending  to  an- 
other well  witliout  the  walls,  a  distance  of  one  hund- 
red and  twenty  feet.  Tins  va,st  cistern  must  have 
been  supplied  by  rain  .Avater  conveyed  into  it  from 
the  terraces  of  buildings,  as  its  depth  is  but  aboiir 
thirty  feet,  and  the  depth  of  the  only   well  of  uatcr 


GEN.    EATONi  8Sl 

in  the  vicinity  is  one  hundred  and  fifty  :  the  water 
ofVhich  is  sulphurous  and  saline.  The  cistern  is 
dry.  Around  the  castle  are  many  ruins  of  ancient 
buildings,  of  apparently  excellent  masonry  ;  the 
cement  of  which  resembles  exactly  that  in  the  ruins 
of  Carthage.  Time  in  many  places  has  consumed 
the  freestone  of  the  walls,  leaving  the  cement  per- 
fectly entire,  and  honey  combed. 

Scattered  among  these  ruins  are  numerous  graves 
of  pilgrims  with  Turkish  and  Arabic  inscriptions  of 
modern  date,  expressive  of  little  else  than  an  ejacu- 
lation. The  surrounding  country,  as  far  as  eye  can 
ken,  exhibits  little  more  than  a  barren  desert,  seem- 
ingly never  to  have  been  cultivated,  yet  every  where 
interspersed  with  ruins  of  masonry .  One  of  my  for- 
eign officers  found  here,  and  presented  me,  two  copper, 
coins  with  Grreek  inscriptions  but  so  effaced  as  not 
to  be  intelligible.  On  the  west  of  this  port  is  a 
mountain  of  great  height,  forming  a  steep  bluff  on  its 
eastern  abutment,  extending  in  a  circular  direction 
south  easterly  as  far  as  the  eye  can  pursue  it.  The 
Arabs  tell  me  this  mountain  preserves  the  same  ap- 
pearance quite  to  the  province  of  Fiaume,  and  is 
called  in  their  language  Auk  bet  Salaum.  Its  site 
is  a  vast  plain,  rocky  and  barren,  gradually  inclined 
to  the  westward.  Our  guides  fix  this  port  one 
iiundred  and  fifty  miles  from  Derne. 

April  6th.  Last  night  a  party  of  wild  Arabs  stole 
into  the  vicinity  of  our  camp  and  took  off  nine  of  the 
Bashaw's  horses.  A  detachment  was  sent  this  morn- 
ing in  search  of  them  wliieh  returned  at  twelve  and 
reported  that  they  fell  upon  the  track  of  fifty  horses, 
supposed  to  ]>e  mounted  by  the  thieves,  which  shaped 
a  rapid  course  towards  the  interior  of  the  desert. 
The  detachment  was  reinforced  and  returned  on  the 
[>ursuit. 

This  morning  died  the  saddle  beast  of  one  of  my 
servants.  12  o'clock  at  noon.  After  six  hours 
march  came  to  a  well  seventy  feet  deep,  below  which 
a  large  cistern  of  bad  water,  foetid  and  saline.     Our 

41 


222  LIFE    OF 

horses  had  not  drank  during  forty  two  hours,  and 
the  people  with  much  difficulty  procured  a  little  ve- 
ry nauseous  water  from  the  deep  well  near  the  cas- 
tle last  night.  Every  hody  pressed  near  the  well, 
the  horses  and  people  crouding  upon  each  other  for 
drink.  In  the  struggle  the  horse  of  my  other  servant 
was  forced  backwards  from  the  croud,  and,  the 
ground  descending  to  the  well,  slipped  and  went 
down,  with  two  cloaks,  and  perished  in  the  fall. 
Continued  our  march  17  miles,  hut  advanced  very 
little  in  front,  having  kept  under  the  side  of  the 
mountain  to  gain  the  seaboard.  Halted  at  3,  P.  M. 
within  four  miles  of  the  sea  shore.  I  walked  with  Mr. 
Farquhar  and  a  servant  to  the  water  side.  A  very 
handsome  bay  formed  by  the  mountain  which  ex- 
tends into  the  sea  a  league  and  an  half,  and  termin- 
*ates  in  a  high  cape.  The  Arabs  call  the  port  Sala- 
nm  :   it  is  marked  on  the  French  chart  Cape  Luco  : 

They  say  it  is  remarkable  for  having  been  a  shel- 
ter for  the  Maltese  cruisers.  Ninety  miles  from  Bom- 
ba  by    calculation.     We  find  no  water  this   night. 

April  '7tk.  Marched  at  6,  A.  M.  ascended  the 
mountain,  and  marched  on  its  summit,  eigliteen  miles 
in  front.  At  four  afternoon  halted  iu  a  valley,  where 
we  found  excellent  Teed  for  our  liorscs,  but  no  water. 

April  StJi.  Marched  at  6,  A.  M.  Descended  the 
western  declivity  of  the  mountain.  At  nine  called 
a  halt  near  a  cistern  of  excellent  rain  Avatcr,  ex- 
cavated in  a  solid  rock,  at  <hc  bottom  of  a  deep  ra- 
vine, by  the  torrents  of  water  and  small  stones  which 
rush  down  the  mountain  by  tliis  avenue  during  tiie 
rainy  season.  This  was  a  precious  repast  to  our 
thirsty  pilgrims.  I  went  with  a  small  j)arty  to  sur- 
vey the  seacoast  and  reconnoitre  the  country,  intend- 
ing to  pursue  the  march  as  soon  as  tlie  army  should 
have  refreshed  themselves.  Bnt,  during  my  ab- 
sence, the  Bashaw  ordered  the  camps  pitched.  On 
mj  return  I  demanded  his  reason  for  so  doing.  He 
answered  that  the  exhausted  sitnation  of  the  troops 
and  people  required  at  least  one  day's  repose.     1  dis- 


GEN.    EATON.  323 

covered  however  that  his  real  intention  was  to  remain 
on  this  ground  until  a  courier  should  return,  whieli 
he  was  about  to  dispatch  to  Bomba  in   quest  of  our 
vessels.     We  had  only  six  days  rations  of  rice;  no 
bread  nor  meat  and  no  small  rations.     I  urged  this 
circumstance  as  an  impulsive  reason  why  the  march 
should  continue.     He  said  the  Arab  chiefs  were  re- 
solved to  proceed  no  further  till  the  camp  shall  have 
recruited  themselves  by  a  little  repose.     I   told   him 
if  they  preferred  famine  to  fatigue  they  might  have 
the  choice  ;  and  ordered  their  rations  stopped.  The 
day    passed   confusedly  among  them.    At  3,  P.  M. 
the   Bashaw,  compelled  by   his  Arab    host,   struck 
his  tent,  ordered  his  baggage  packed,  mounted,   and 
took  up  a  march  for  Fiaume   by  the    mountain.     I 
waited  without  emotion  the  result  of  this  movement ; 
not  chusing  to  betray  a  concern  for  ourselves.      Dis- 
covering however  an  intention  in  the   Arabs  to  seize 
our    provisions,  I    beat  to  arms.      My  Christians 
formed  a  line  in  front  of  the   magazine  tent.     Each 
party  held  an  opposite  position  the  space  of  an  hour. 
The  Bashaw  prevailed  on  the  Arabs  to  return  ;  they 
dismounted  ;  and  he    pitched   his  tent.     Supposing 
the  tumult  tranquilised,  I  ordered  the  h'oopsto  pass 
the  manual  exercise,  according  to  our  daily  practice. 
In  au'instant  the  Arabs  took  an  alarm  ;  remounted, 
and  exclaimed,  "  the   Christians   are  preparing  to 
fire  on  us  !"  The  Bashaw  mounted  and  put  himself 
at  their  head,  apparently  impressed  with  the  same 
apprehension.  A  body  of  about  two  hundred  advanc- 
ed in  full  charge  upon  our  people,  who  stood  their 
ground  motionless.    The  enemy  withdrew  at  as  mall 
distance,  singled  out  the  officers,  and,  with  deliber- 
ate aim,  cried — fire/  Some  of  the  Bashaw's  officers, 
exclaimed,  "  for  God's  sake  do  not  fire!  The  Christ- 
ians   are  our  friends."     Mr.  O'Bannoa,  Mr.  Peek, 
and   young   Farquhar,   stood  firmly   by  me,  Seleni 
Aga,  (Capt.  of  Canoniers,)  his    Lieutenants  and  the 
two  Grreek  officers,  remained  steadfast  at  their  posts. 
The  others  were  agitated,  and  in  fact  abandoned  us. 


334<  LIFE  OF 

I  advanced  towards  the  Bashaw  and   cautioned   him 
?igainst  giving  countenance  to  a  desperate  act.     At 
once   a   column  of    muskets  were     aimed   at    my 
breast.     The  Bashaw  was  distracted.     A  universal 
clamor  drowned  my  voice.     1  waved  my  hand  as  a 
signal  for  att:ention.     At  this  critical   moment   some 
of  the  Bashaw's  officers  and  sundry  Arab  chiefs  rode 
between  us  with  drawn  sabres  and  repelled  the  muti- 
neers.    I  reproached  the  Bashaw  for  his  rashness^ 
or  rather  weakness.     His  Casnadar  asked  him  if  he 
was  in  his  senses.     The   Bashaw   struck   him  with 
his  naked  sabre.     The  fracas   had  nearly   resumed 
its  rage,  when  I  took  the  Bashaw  by   the  arm  ;  led 
him  from  the  croud,  and  asked  liira  if  he  knew  his 
own  interests  and  his  friends  !  He  relented  :  called 
me  his  friend  and  protector  ;  said   he  was   too  soon 
heated  ;  and  followed  me  to  my  tent,  giving  orders 
at  the  same  time  to  his  Arabs  to   disperse.     After  a 
moment's  breath,  he  said  if  I   v»'ould  gite  orders  to 
issue  rice  it  would  quiet  every  thing.     This  I  would 
not  do   on   any   other  condition  than  his  promise  to 
march  tomorrow   morning  at  reveillee  beating.    He 
promised,  and  provisions  were  issued.     Confessions 
of  obligation  and  professions  of  attachment  were  re- 
peated as  usual  on  the  part  of  the  Bpshaw  and  his  of- 
ficers ;  and  the  camp  again   resumed  its    tranquility. 
The  firm  and  decided  conduct  of  Mr.  O'Bannun,  as  on 
all  other  occasions,  did  much  to  deter   the  violence 
of  the  savages   by   whom  we   were  surrounded,  as 
well  as  to   support  our   own  dignity   of  cliaracter. 
After  the  affair  was  over  the  Bashaw  embraced  him 
with  an  enthusiasm  of  respect,   calling  him  the  brave 
S^nerican.     The  Chevalier  Davies,  my  aid  de  camp, 
acted  a  part  which  I  would  rather   attribute  to  an 
amiable  disposition  than  to  weakness  of  nerve.     My 
Doctor  behaved   decidedly    like   a  coward,    and  a 
base  one.     Mr.    Farquhar  conducted  with   manly 
firmness.     One  of  the  Arabs,    during  the    agitation, 
snapped  a  pistol  at  his  breast.     Happily  it  missed 


GEN.    EATON.  325 

fire  :  had  it  been  otherwise  the  fire  would  most  proba- 
bly have  become  general  and  the  result  serious. 

We  find  it  almost  impossible  to  inspire  these  wild 
bigots  with  confidence  in  us,  or  to  persuade  them 
that,  being  Christians,  we  can  be  otherwise  than  en- 
emies to  Mussulmen.  We  have  a  difficult  under- 
taking ! 

•'ipril  9th.  Marched  at  half  past  5,  A.  M.  advanc- 
ed ten  miles  and  halted  at  a  water  cistern.  Grood 
feed  for  our  horses.  Here  are  considerable  ancient 
ruins  of  houses  and  partition  walls,  but  almost  entire- 
ly effaced. 

In  this  cistern  we  found  two  dead  men  ;  probably 
pilgrims  murdered  by  the  Arabs.  We  were  obliged 
nevertheless  to  use  the  water. 

Spril  iOth.  Marched  ten  miles,  and  at  twelve 
o'clock  camped  in  a  beautiful  valley  between  two- 
ridges  of  desert  mountain  of  calcarious  rock  and  flint 
stone  ;  upon  one  of  which  we  found  an  excellent  cis- 
tern of  rain  Avater  ;  and  in  the  valley,  good  feed  for 
our  horses. 

The  detachment  joined  us  which  went  off  the 
sixth  ;  but  Avithout  recovering  the  horses  or  overtak- 
ing the  thieves.  Nothing  but  rice  and  water  for 
subsisiienee  and  that  at  half  rations.  No  intelligence 
from  Bomba  by  the  courier  dispatched  tliither. 

An  idea  has  been  insinuated  into  the  mind  of  the 
Bashaw  that  Ave  aim  only  to  use  him  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  a  peace  with  his  brother,  and  that  the 
manner  is  indilferent  with  us. 

He  gives  place  to  this  apprehension  because  he 
has  twice  been  deceived  by  Christian  puicers  ;  and 
because  the  English  have  deceived  Elji  Bay,  as  he 
says.  And  he  permits  himself  so  far  to  be  carried 
away  by  the  phantom,  as  to  fear  least  Ave  should  give 
him  up  to  the  enemy. 

Three  o'clock,  P.  M.  A  general  council  of  war. 
An  insurmountable  reluctance  on  tiie  part  of  the 
Arabs  and  some  of  the  Bashaw's  people  to  proceed 
further  without  intelligence  of  our  vessels,  induced 


3^6  LIFE    OF 

me  to  agree  to  halt  and  wait  for  intelligence,  after 
two  days  more  march  in  front.  Tiie  Bashaw  fears 
desertions  in  case  of  approaching  Derne  without  pro- 
visions. We  have  only  three  days  half  rations  of 
rice,  and  no  otlier  supplies  whatever :  and,  wiiat  ren- 
ders our  situation  truly  alarming,  we  can  get  no  in- 
formation of  any  vessels  having  appeared  off  the 
coast ;  as  we  now  plainly  perceive  tlieir  arrival  a- 
lone  will  prevent  a  revolt  among  our  Arabs,  who 
will  undoubtedly  take  any  side  which  will  give  them 
the  best  fare. 

Seven  o'clock,  P.  M.  An  officer  came  to  my  tent 
and  informed  me  that  mutiny  ri^as  organized  in  the 
company  of  canoniers,  and  that  they  Avere  about  to 
embody  and  demand  their  full  ration  of  provisions 
before  this  tent.  I  told  him  to  endeavor  by  gentle 
means  to  supjjress  the  mutiny  ;  and,  if  he  found 
this  method  impossible,  to  caution  them  on  pain  of 
death,  not  to  appear  in  arms  to  make  any  remon- 
strances with  me.  At  the  same  time  sent  for  the 
issuing  commissary  to  be  informed  of  the  exact  quan- 
tity of  rice  on  hand.  I  mentioned  the  disagreeable 
situation  of  affairs  to  no  one  but  Mr.  O'Bannon. 
Before  any  thing  serious  took  place,  about  half  pa&t 
seven  in  the  evening,  the  courier  which  had  been 
dispatched  to  Bomba  arrived  with  intelligence  of  our 
vessels  being  off  that  place  and  Derne.  In  an  in- 
stant the  face  of  every  thing  changed  from  pensive 
gloom  to  enthusiastic  glachiess.  Nothing  more  heard 
of  the  mutiny.  The  Arabs  resumed  confidence. 
And  the  Bashaw  promised  to  force  the  residue  of 
our  march  to  Bom  ha. 

Nine  in  the  evening.  The  Bashaw  attacked  by 
spasms  and  vomiting ;  continued  the  greater  part 
of  the  night. 

Ajjriliith.  Marched  at  6,  A.  M.  gained  five  miles 
a  head,  and  camped.  Tlie  Bashaw's  indisposition 
rendered  a  halt  indispensable.  No  water.  Discover- 
ed a  singular  commerce  between  our  soldiers  and  the 
Arab  women.     Thev  exchanged  their  buttons,  which 


GEN.    EATON.  3^7 

• 

they  cut  from  their  clothes,  for  dates.  The  women 
strung  them  as  ornaments  about  their  necks.  Six, 
P.  M.  The  Bashaw  recovers. 

Apinl  i2th.  Marched  twenty  five  miles  ;  the  first 
part  of  the  day  in  the  continuatiou  of  the  valley  men- 
tioned the  tenth  ;  but  camped  on  an  eminence  where 
there  was  neither  water  nor  fuel.  The  residue  of 
our  rice  issued  to  day  ;  but  the  troops  were  obliged 
to  eat  it  without  cooking.  Sucii  of  the  Arab  tribes 
as  moved  with  their  families  camped  five  miles  in  the 
rear ;  being  unable  to  come  up,  exhausted  by  fatigue 
and  huneier. 

April  iSth.  Marched  seven  and  a  half  miles. 
Hunger  and  fatigue  rendered  the  foot  soldiers  and 
Bedouin  families  unable  to  pursue  the  march.  The 
Bashaw  killed  and  issued  one  of  his  camels  of  bur- 
then, and  exchanged  another  with  the  Arabs  for 
sheep  ;  which  together  gave  a  full  ration  to  our 
troops,  but  they  were  without  bread  or  salt. 

*^lpril  14^/i.  Marched  fifteen  miles.  Camped  in  a 
pleasant  valley  of  rich  strong  land,  but  totally  uncul- 
tivated. Good  and  abundance  of  feed  for  our  horses, 
and  sundry  cisterns  excavated  in  the  ridges  on  the 
borders  of  the  valley  contained  excellent  rain  Wfiter  ; 
but  we  were  totally  destitute  of  provisions.  Near 
these  cisterns  and  in  the  valleys  are'  ruins  of  ancient 
architecture  and  visible  marks  of  former  cultivation  ; 
but  now  all  is  waste. 

April  i5th.  Marched  at  seven  in  the  morning. 
Our  people  this  day  scattered  througlsout  all  the  plain 
in  search  of  roots  and  vegetable  substances  to  ap- 
pease the  cravings  of  hunger.  A  species  of  wild 
fennel  and  sorrel  which  we  found  in  the  small  ravines 
contributed  something  to  our  support.  At  4  o'clock 
P.  M.  we  reached  Boniba.  But  what  was  my  as- 
tonishment to  find  at  tijis  celebrated  port  not  the 
foot  trace  of  a  human  being,  nor  a  drop  of  vvaler. 
And  what  my  mortification  to  find  iio  vessels  here. 
We  had  this  day  taken  up  tlu-ee  Arabs  v/!u)  ^ivf;  me 
positive  declarations  that  they  had  seen  two  vessels 


328  LIFE    DF 

• 

in  the  Bay  a  few  days  before,  aucl  very  well  describ- 
ed the  brig  Argns,  Capt.  Hull ;  bul  tliey  were 
gone,  and  I  concluded  had  left  the  coast  in  despair  of 
our  arrival.  Nothing  could  prevail  on  our  Arabs  to 
believe  that  any  had  been  there.  They  abused  us  as 
iuiposters  and  infidels  ;  and  said  we  had  drawn  them 
into  that  situation  with  treacherous  views. 

All  began  now  to  think  of  the  means  of  individual 
safety  ;  and  the  Arabs  came  to  a  resolution  to  sep- 
arate from  us  the  next  morning.  I  recommended  an 
attempt  to  get  into  Derne.  This  was  thought  im- 
practicable.  I  went  off  with  my  Christians,  and 
kept  up  fires  upon  a  high  mountain  in  our  rear  all 
night.  At  eight  the  next  morning,  at  the  instant 
when  our  camp  was  about  breaking  up,  the  Bash- 
aw's casnadar,  Zaid,  who  had  ascended  tlie  moun- 
tain for  a  last  lookout,  discovered  a  sail  !  It  was 
the  Argus.  Capt.  Hull  had  seen  our  smokes,  and 
stood  in.  Language  is  too  poor  to  paint  the  joy  and 
exultation  which  this  messens;er  of  life  excited  in 
every  breast.  I  went  on  board  at  tv,  elvc  o'clock  ; 
the  camp  ii?  the  mean  time  moved  five  or  six  miles 
round  the  bay  to  a  cistern  of  water:  piid  at  six  in  the 
afternoon  provisions  were  sent  off  to  them.  I  re- 
mained  on  board  all  night. 

On  the  17th,  eleven  in  the  morning,  tlic  sloop  Hor- 
net arrived,  laden  with  provisions.  The  quarter  of 
the  bay  where  the  vessels  fell  in  with  us  being  in- 
convenient for  landing  ;  (m  tlse  18th  and  19th,  I  con- 
tinued the  ma,rch  round  the  bay,  twenty  two  miles, 
where  we  found  an  inexhaiistable  cistern  of  Avatcr 
and  a  good  l)arbor  and  landing. 

The  20t]i,  2tst  and  23d,  we  remained  on  tius 
ground  :  refreshed  orr  famished  ai'?ny  i  and  took 
out  of  the  Hornet  the  necessary  provisions  to  carry 
us  to  Derne. 

Afril  2Sd.  Cold,  high  winds  \vitli  rain.  March- 
ed ten  miles  over  a  mountainous  rocky  country,  and 
camped  in  a  ravine,  within  a  mile  from  a  natural 
source  of  water,  springing  from  the  lop  of  a  monn 


GEN.   E^tON.  ^89 

tain  of  freestone,  near  cape  Itazatine.  This  is  the 
first  natural  spring  we  have  found  since  leaving  E- 
gypt.  We  are  approaching  cultivated  fields.  A 
herald  cries  through  the  camp — "  he  who  fears  God 
and  feels  attachmevit  to  Hamet  Bashaw  will  be  care- 
ful to  destroy  nothing.  Let  no  one  touch  the  grow- 
ing harvest  He  who  transgresses  this  injunction 
shall  lose  iiis  right  hand  !" 

,iljril  S4fA.  Marched  fifteen  miles  over  mountain- 
ous and  broken  ground,  covered  with  herbage  and 
very  large  and  beautiful  red  cedars  :  the  first  resemb- 
lance of  a  forest  tree  we  have  seen  during  a  march 
of  nearly  six  hundred  miles.  Camped  in  a  pleasant 
valley,  by  a  natural  rivulet  bordered  with  delight- 
some verdure  and  fields  of  barley,  about  five  hours 
march  from  Derne.  Certain  information  came  to  us 
here  that  the  Governor  of  the  country  had  fortified 
himself  and  was  determined  to  defend  the  city  a- 
gainst  our  approach.  The  same  courier  confirmed 
the  intelligence  which  had  frequently  before  been 
stated  to  us  that  the  army  of  Joseph  Bashaw,  which 
he  had  sent  out  for  the  defence  of  the  province^  were 
near  Derne,  and  w^ould  probably,  by  a  forced  march 
arrive  before  us  ;  especially  if  we  waited  the  return 
of  our  vessels  to  the  coast,  which  had  been  blown  ofl^ 
in  the  gale  of  the  S3d.  Alarm  and  consternation 
seized  the  Arab  chiefs  ;  and  despondency  the  Bash- 
aw. The  night  was  passed  in  consultations  among 
them  at  which  I  was  not  admitted. 

April  25th.  At  six  iu  the  morning  beat  the  geneT* 
al  and  gave  orders  for  marching.  The  Arabs  mu- 
tinized.  The  Chieks  il  Taiib  and  Mahamet  at  the 
head  of  the  Arab  cavalry  took  up  a  retrograde 
inarch,  and  the  Bedouins  refused  to  strike  their 
tents.  After  much  persuasion,  some  reproach,  and  a 
promise  of  two  tliousand  dollars  to  be  shared  among 
the  chiefs,  they  v/ere  prevailed  on  to  advance  :  and 
at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  we  camped  on  an  eminence 
which  overlooks  Derne,  and  reconnoitered  the  place. 
Discovered  that  the  Governor's  defence  consisted  of 

43 


380  LIFE    OF 


a  water  battery  of  eight  nine  pounders  towards  tire 
N.  E.  some  temporary  breast  Morks  and  walls  of  oW 
buildings  to  the  S.  E.  and  along  the  front  of  the  bay 
a  department  of  the  city  of  about  one  third  the  whole 
number  of  inhabitants,  who  weie  in  the  interest  of 
Joseph  Bashaw,  had  provided  tboir  terraces  and 
walls  of  their  houses  with  loop  holes.  The  Gover- 
nor liad  also  a  ten  incli  howitzer  mounted  on  the  ter- 
race of  his  palace.  Sundry  Chieks  came  out  this 
evening  to  meet  the  Basliaw,  who  assured  him  of  the 
loyalty  and  attachment  of  the  other  two  departments 
of  the  city  ;  but  stated  that  the  Governor  could  bring 
eight  hundred  men  into  battle,  and  as  he  possess»;d 
all  the  batteries,  breast  works,  and  seaboard,  we 
should  tind  it  difficult  to  dislodge  him.  Besides  Jo- 
seph Bashaw'y  army  was  just  at  hand.  I  thought 
the  Bashaw  wished  himself  back  to  Egypt.  No 
vessels  in  sight  today. 

*ipril  2Qth.  Eight,  A.  M.  made  signals  by  smoke 
upon  the  highest  point  of  the  mountain.  At  2,  P. 
M.  the  Nautilus  hove  in  sight  :  exchanged  signals  : 
and  at  six  we  spoke.  I  expressed  my  determination 
to  attack  the  town  tomorrow  if  the  other  vessels 
came  in  seasonably. 

April  ^7th.  At  half  past  live  in  the  morning,  the 
Argus  and  Hornet  appea;red  in  sight. 

Sefe  my  dispatches  to  Commodore  Barron  of 
April  amir,  page  338. 

May  i St.  The  sloop  Hornet  went  olF  with  those 
dispatches. 

May  2d.  Examined  the  different  sites  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  town.  Used  exertions  to  draw  the  Gov- 
ernor from  his  sanctuary.  TheHiram  in  which  he 
had  taken  asylum  appertained  to  a  Chiek  of  Mesreat, 
one  of  the  departments  of  the  city  in  the  interest  of 
the  Bashaw.  Neither  persuasion,  bribes  nor  men- 
ace, could  prevail  on  this  venerable  aged  chief  to 
permit  the  iiospitality  of  his  house  to  be  violated. 
He  urged  that  whatever  may  be  the  weakness  or  c- 
yen  the  crimes  of  the  Arabs  there  was  never  an  in- 


GEN.    EATON,  331 

stance  k«own  among  them  of  giving  up  a  fugitive  to 
whom  they  had  once  accorded  their  protection  ;  and 
should  he  suffer  himself  to  transgress  that  sacred 
principle,  the  vengeance  of  God  and  the  odium  of 
all  mankind  would  justly  fix  on  him  and  his  poster- 
ity. 

May  Sd.  Information  that  the  enemy  are  advanc- 
ing.    Set  myself  to  fortifying  our  post. 

Mfuj  8th.  These  five  days  have  been  employed  in 
putting  ourselves  in  as  good  a  state  of  defence  as  the 
means  we  possess  will  admit.  The  enemy  have  ad- 
vanced i>y  a  circuitous  rout  and  planted  their  camp 
on  the  ground  we  occupied  the  25th  and  26th  ult. 
The  in/tabitants  of  the  town  in  a  state  of  consterna- 
tion. It  seems  yet  a  matter  of  uncertainty  with  them 
which  is  the  strongest  party  ;  a  defeat  to  Hamet 
Bashaw  would  be  slaughter  to  his  adherents.  Ap- 
preliendinga  counter  revolution  through  the  intrigue 
of  Mn^tapha  Bey,  the  late  Governor,  I  again  de- 
manded him  of  his  host,  threatning  to  canonade  his 
department.  He  said  he  would  submit  to  the  chas- 
tisement of  God  ;  but  would  not  consent  to  violate 
his  ordinances. 

May  i2th.  The  enemy  have  been  these  four  days 
endeavoring  to  corrupt  and  bring  over  the  people  of 
the  town.  The  late  Governor  acting  from  his  sanc- 
tuary must  be  considered  as  an  active  enemy,  entit- 
led to  no  privileges  of  hospitality.  The  Chi^k  re- 
mained immovable  in  his  resolution  not  to  give  him 
up.  I  resolved  to  try  an  experiment  of  compelling 
him  ;  accordingly  marched  into  the  quarter  near 
him  at  the  head  of  fifty  Christians  with  bayonets, 
and  deelareid  my  intention  to  wrest  the  Bey  from  his 
sanctuary.  A  general  alarm  spread  through  the  de- 
partment. *^  The  Christians  no  longer  respect  the 
customs  of  our  fathers  and  our  laws  of  hospitality  !" 
I  urged  that  the  Bey  was  an  outlaw  ;  he  had  for- 
feited his  title  to  protection.  He  had  in  the  first  in- 
stance rejected  terms  of  amity  ;  had  in  an  insolent, 
manaer  challenged  me  to  combat ;  had  been  beaten 


333  LIFE   OF 

from  Lis  post ;  was  still  in  a  conquered  town  ;  and 
was  by  all  the  laws  of  war  my  prisoner.     But  if  he 
sought  refuge  under  the  banners  of  religion  to  deserve 
its  protection   he  should  conform  himself  to  its  in- 
junctions and  remain  peaceable.     But  he  was  actu- 
ally carrying  on  war  against  me  even  in  his  recluse, 
by  doing  which,  he  had  forfeited  also  the  lenity  due 
to  a  prisoner.     I  would  therefore  have  him  dead   or 
alive.     The  Chiek  remained   inflexible.     The   de- 
partment got  in  motion  to  defend  their  religion  and. 
customs.     The  Bashaw,  Hamet,  apprehensive  of  an 
insurrection,  became  deeply   agitated.     He  begged 
tliat  1  would   suspend  the  execution  of  my  attempt 
till  tomorrow,  promising  in  the  mean  time  to  use  his 
exertions  to  draw  the  Bey  from  the  protection  of  the 
Chiek  by  gentle  means.     I  countermarched.     This 
night  the  Chiek  aided  the  Bey  to  escape  to  the  ene- 
my's camp  with  fifteen  or  sixteen  Turks  in  his  train. 
Mmt  iSfh.  See  my  dispatches  of  15th,  to  Commo- 
fiore  Barron. 

li  is  worthy  of  remark  that  the  same  Chiek  of 
Mesreat,  who  had  given  refuge  to  and  aided  the  es- 
cape of  Mustapha  Bey,  fought  him  the  next  day,  and 
brought  all  his  people  into  the  engagement  against 
the  enemy  in  favor  of  Hamet  BasliaAV.  After  the 
battle  was  gained  he  presented  himself  at  the  Bash- 
aw's palace,  kissed  his  liand,  and,  seating  himself 
before  him  as  a  subject  in  manner  of  the  east,  re- 
proached him  in  these  manly  and  expressive  terms, 
"  I  have  this  day  given  you,  I  trust,  an  unequivo- 
cal demonstration  of  my  personal  attachment  and  fi- 
delity. I  ought  to  say  to  you  that  you  have  not 
-  merited  it.  You  would  have  yielded  to  the  instan- 
ces of  the  Christian  General  in  violating  the  hospital- 
ity of  my  house,  and  of  degrading  the  honor  of  my 
name.  You  should  have  recollected,  that,  not  quite 
two  years  ago,  you  were  saved  in  this  same  asylum, 
and  secured  in  your  escape  by  the  same  hospitality, 
from  the  vengeance  of  this  very  same  Bey.  Had 
ibe  fortune  of  this  day   gone  against  you  1  sbould 


GEN.    EATON.  333 

have  suppressed  these  sentiments  of  reproach  :  as  it 
is,  I  have  acquited  myself  to  my  God  and  my  con- 
science.'' He  then  renewed  his  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  Bashaw. 

May  iSth.  Three,  A.  M.  The  Nautilus  sailed  with 
dispatches  to  Malta. 

At  9  in  the  morning  the  enemy  advanced  in  order 
of  battle  to  tiie  declivity  of  the  mountain,  but  could 
not  bring  themselves  to  a  resolution  to  meet  the  vast 
numbers  who  showed  themselves  with  Hamet  Bash- 
aw ;  and  retired  in  about  an  liour  :  they  had  daily 
showed  themselves  since  the  13th,  but  not  so  con- 
spicuously. 

May  Wth.  Eight  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  enemy  ap- 
pear in  all  their  force  ;  and  seem  resolute  for  a  dis- 
play of  gallantry.     At  10   they  disappeared.     At  6, 
P.  M.  a  woman  from  their  camp   states  that  it  was 
the  intention  of  the  Beys  to  have  attacked  our  works 
this  morning ;  but  the  Arabs  refused  to  advance  to 
the  charge.     The  Beys  attempted  to  compel  them. 
They  s?id  they  had  not  only  the  preservation  of  their 
own  lives  but  the  existence  of  their  families  to  keep 
in  view.     Hamet  Bashaw  had  possession  of  the  town 
and  the  Christians  of  the  batteries  ;  these,  with  the 
great  guns  of  tlie   shipping,  would   destroy   every 
thing  that  approached  them.     They  would  remain 
with  the  camp  till  reenforcements  came  from  Joseph 
Bashaw  ;  and  would  then  fight  the  Christians.    The 
Beys  then  demanded  their  camels  to  be  moved  as 
covers  to  their  front  and  flanks.     This  they  refused. 
The  Beys  were  obliged  to  give  up  the  project  of  a 
victory  today.     The  flocks  of  the  Beduoin   Arabs 
have  been  under  the  protection  of  oar  guns  since  the 
morning  of  the  13th.     There  has   hitherto  been  no 
instance  of  this   confidence  being   deceived.     Their 
women  bring  us  mutton,  milk,  eggs,  and   traffic  with 
our  soldiers  without  any  apprehensions  of  violence 
or  fraud.    We  have  several  days  been  reduced  to  the 
necessity  of  bartering  prize  goods  of  the  Argus  for 


334  LIFE    OF 

meat  for  the  garrison.     A  humiliating  traffic  :  but  we 
have  no  cash. 

May  2ist.  A  woraau  from  the  enemy's  camp  states 
that  a  reenforcement  joined  them  yesterday  of  150 
cavalry  ;  that  they  expect  another  today  or  tomor- 
row, when  they  calculate  on  taking  the  town  and  be« 
sieging  the  Christian  post. 

May  22d.  An  Arab  chief  who  had  been  chained 
as  a  hostage  with  the  enemy  to  insure  the  fidelity  of 
his  troops,  escaped  to  us.  Says  the  Arabs  absolute- 
ly refuse  to  risk  another  assault  on  the  town.  He 
promises  to  bring  his  people,  to  the  number  of  eighty^ 
over  to  the  Bashaw. 

We  want  nothing  but  cash  to  break  up 
OUR  enemy's  camp  witout  firing  another  shot  ! 

May  2Sd.  Hassien  Bey,  the  commander  in  chief 
of  the  enemy's  forces,  has  offered  by  private  insinu- 
ation, for  ray  head,  si.v  thousand  dollars,  and  double 
the  «um  for  me  a  prisoner ;  and  JS30  per  head  for 
Christians.     Why  dont  he  come  and  take  it  ? 

Five  o'clock,  P.  M.  Overwhelmed  with  the  scy- 
roc  or  hot  wind  of  the  desert.  It  come  in  a  hurricane 
and  brought  with  it  a  column  of  heated  dust,  which 
resembled  the  smoke  of  a  conflagration,  and  turned 
tlie  sun  in  appearance,  to  melted  copper,  swept  every 
thing  to  the  ground  that  lia<l  life  ;  and  filled  every 
thing  with  a  hot,  subtile  sand,  or  rather  powder. 
We  were  distressed  for  breath  :  the  lungs  contract- 
ed  :  blood  heated  like  a  fever  :  and  a  relaxing  per- 
spiration covered  the  surface  of  the  body. 

It  lasted  3-4:  of  an  hour. 

May  25th.  The  Scyroc  wind  blew  in  a  gale  from 
ike  south  west  all  day.  So  piercing  was  the  heat 
that  the  whit-e  pine  boards  of  our  folding  table  and 
book  coverings  in  our  tents  warped  as  if  before  a 
close  fire. 

The  heated  dust  penetrated  every  thing,  through 
our  garments  ;  and  indeed  seemed  to  cboak  the 
pores  of  the  skin.  It  had  a  singular  effect  on  my 
wound,  giving  it  the  painful  sensations  of  a  fresh 


GEN.    EATON.  335 

burn.  The  skin,  after  perspiration  became  dry  aixl 
parched,  and  the  lungs  compressed  and  inflamed. 
Water  standing  in  tumblers  in  a  few  minutes  became 
heated  to  such  a  degree  as  not  to  be  borne  in  the 
hand  ;  and  even  stones,  naturally  cold,  were  so  hot 
that  the  soldiers  were  obliged  to  suspend  labor  at  the 
trenches. 

May  28th.  Attacked  and  defeated  a  detached  par- 
ty of  the  enemy,  of  about  sixty  foot  and  a  troop  of 
horse,  with  only  thirty  five  Americans  and  Greeks, 
including  officers.  Mr.  O^Bannon,  Maun  and 
Farquhar,  and  Capt.  Constantino,  were  with  me. 

May  29th.  The  en^my  feinted  an  attack.  See 
dispatches  of  this  date. 

Six  o'clock,  P.  M.  a  mirabout  (saint)  who  had  ex- 
perienced some  charities  from  me — now  from  the  en- 
emy, states  that  two  women,  one  at  camp  and  the 
other  in  town,  have  engaged  to  take  me  off  by  poi- 
son ;  and  that  the  commander  in  chief  of  the  enemy, 
has  already  made  them  large  presents,  among  other 
things,  a  diamond  ring,  brelleant  solitaire,  in  antici- 
pation of  this  service.  The  saint  cautio'^ed  me  a- 
gaiust  accepting  any  presents  of  pastry  corking,  pre- 
serves, or  fruit,  from  any  persons  of  the  town. 

June  nth.  The  following  is  a  statement  of  the  en- 
emy's forces,  as  given  by  Seiim,  Chiek  of  Mensurat 
who  deserted  to  us   the  l6th  ultimo. 

1.  Hassieu  Bey,  commander  in  chief. 

2.  Hadge  Ismain,  of  Cavalry. 

3.  Muhamed,  Bey  of  Bengazi. 

4.  Mustapha,  Bey  of  Derne. 

5.  Imhamed,  Bey  of  Ogna. 

Tripoliians  mounted  -  -  -  -  ^yo 

Vicinity  of  Mensurat  do.  -  -  -  90 

Imselletti         -  do.  -  -  -  30 

Issileiti  do.  -  .  -  .30 

Issiheli  do.  -  -  -  75 

Bengazi  and  vicinity  do.  -  .  ,  90 


986  L^F£   Of 

Jeiberna  Arabs  do.        -        -        -      S60 

Haddud     do.  do.         -         -         .       too 


945 
Foot  Arabs  1250^ 

Do.  refugees,  Derne         330  5  ^^^^ 


25^5 
Recruits,  up  to  10th  Junfe        -        -        .      50O 


Totol        3045 

Berne f  April  Wth,  1805. 
Sir, 

OWING  to  impediments  too  tedious  to 
detail,  but  cliieiiy  to  delinquency  in  our  quartermas- 
ter's department,  which  I  had  confided  to  Richard 
Farquhar,  I  did  not  leave  Alexandria  till  the  third 
of  last  month.  The  liost  of  Arab«,  wiio  accompani- 
ed the  Bashaw  from  that  place  and  joined  him  on  the 
rout,  moving  chiefly  with  their  families  and  flocks, 
rendered  our  progress  through  the  desert  slow  and 
painful ;  add  to  this  the  ungovernable  temper  of  this 
ma^'auding  militia,  and  the  frequent  fits  of  despond- 
ency, amounting  sometimes  to  mutiny,  occasioned  by 
information,  almost  every  day  meeting  us,  of  formi- 
dable reenforcemenfcp  from  the  enemy  for  tlie  defence 
of  this  place,  and  it  Avill  not  seem  unaccountable  that 
it  was  not  till  the  fifteenth  instant  we  iwrived  at  Bom^ 
ba.  We  had  nov/  been  twenty  five  days  wittiout 
meat,  and  fifteen  without  bread,  subsisting  on  rice. 
Happily,  the  next  morning,  discovered  the  Argus,  to 
whom  1  made  signals  by  smoke,  whicli  were  discov- 
ered and  answered.  The  Kornet  soon  after  appear- 
ed. Capt.  Hull  sent  off  a  boat,  i  went  on  board, 
and  had  the  honor  and  inexpressible  satisfaction  of 
receiving  your  communications  of  2Sd  ult.  The 
timely  supplies  which  came  forward  in  these  vessels 
gave  animation  to  our  half  famished  people  ;  and  no 
time  was  lost   in  moving  forward.     On  the   morning 


GEN.    EATON;  837, 

of  the  25ih,  Mf®  ^^^^  V^^^  ^^  ^^^  eminence  in  the  rear 
of  Derne.  Several  chiefs  came  out  to  meet  the 
Bashaw  with  assurances  of  fealty  and  attachment. 
By  them  I  learned  that  thW  city  was  divided  into 
three  departments  ;  two  of  which  were  in  the  interest 
of  the  Bashilvv,  and  one  in  opposition.  This  depart- 
ment, though  fewest  in  numbers,  was  strongest  in 
position  and  resource,  being  defended  by  a  battery 
of  eight  guns,  the  blind  walls  of  the  houses  which 
are  provided  in  all  directions  with  loop  holes  for 
musketry,  and  by  temporary  parapets  thrown  up  in 
several  positions  not  covered  by  the  battery  ;  this 
department  is  the  nearest  the  sea  and  the  residence 
of  the  Bey.  On  the  morning  of  the/S6th,  terms  of 
amity  were  oflPered  the  Bey  on  condition  of  allegi- 
ance and  fidelity.*  The  flag  of  truce  was  sent  back 
to  me  with  this  laconic  answer,  ^^  My  head  or 
yours  !" — at  2,  P.  M.  discovered  the  Nautilus,  and 
spoke  her  at  six.  At  6  in  the  morning  of  the  27th, 
the  Argus  and  Hornet  appeared  and  stood  in.  1 
immediately  put  the  army  in  motion,  and  adyanced 
towards  the  city,  A  favorable  land  breeze  enabled 
the  Nautilus  and  Hornet  to  approach  the  shore, 
which  is  a  steep  and  rugged  declivity  of  rocks. 
Witli  much  difficulty  we  landed,  and  drew  up  the 
precipice  one  of  the  field  pieces  ;  both  were  sent  in 

*   Environs  of  Verne ^  April  26th, 

His  ExcBllency  the  Governor  of  Berne. 

Sir, 

1  want  no  territory.  With  me  is  advancing  the  legiti- 
mate Sovereign  of  your  country — give  us  a  passage  through 
your  city  ;  and  for  the  supplies  of  which  we  shall  have  need,  you 
shall  receive  fuir  compensation.  Let  no  differences  of  religion 
induce  us  to  slied  the  blood  of  harmless  men  who  think  little 
and  know  nothing.  If  you  are  a  man  of  liberal  mind  you  will 
not  balance  on  the  propositions  I  offer.  Haniet  Bashaw  pledg- 
es himself  to  me  that  you  shall  be  established  in  your  govern- 
ment.    I  shall  see  you  tomorrow  in  a  way  ofyour  choice. 

-EATON. 

43 


338  LIFE  or 

the  boat  for  the  purpose,  but  the  apprehension  of  los- 
ing this  favorable  moment  of  attack    induced   me  to 
leave  one  on  board.     We  advanced  to  our  positions. 
A  fire   commenced  on  the   shipping.     Lieut.  Evans 
stood  in,  and,  anchoring  within  one   hundred  yards 
of  the  batiery,  opened  a  well  directed    *ire.     Lieut. 
Dam  dropped  in  and  anchored  in  a  position  to  bring 
\m  guns  to  bear  on  the  battery  and  city.     And  Capt. 
Commandant  Hull  brought  the  Argus  to   anchor  a 
little  south  of  the  Nautilus,  so  near   as  to  throw  her 
S'i  pound  shot  quite  into  the  town.     A  detachment  of 
six  American  marine^?,  a  company  of  24  cannoniers, 
and  another  of  26  Greeks,  including  their  proper  of- 
ficers, all  under  the   immediate    command  of  Lieut. 
O^Dannon,  together  with  a  few  Arabs  on  foot,  had  a 
position  on  an  eminence  opposite   to   a  considerable 
party  of  the  enemy,  who  had  taken  post  behind  their 
temporary  parapets  and  in  a  ravine  at  the  S.  E.  quar- 
ter of  the  town.     The  Bashaw   seized   an  old  castle 
which  overlooked  the  town  on  the  S.  S.   W.  dispos- 
ing his  cavalry  upon  the  plains  in  the  rear.     A  little 
before  2,  P.  M.  the  fire  became  general  in  all  quar- 
ters where  Tripolitans  and  Americans  were  opposed 
to  each  other.     In  three  quarters  of  an  hour  the  bat- 
tcy  was  silenced,  but  not  abandoned  ;  though  most 
of  the  enemy  withdrew  precipitately  from  that  quar- 
ter and  joined   the  party    opposed    to  the  handful  of 
Christians  with  me,  which  appeared  our  most  vulner- 
able  point.    Unfortunately  the  fire  of  cnr  field  piece 
was  relaxed  by  the  rnmmer  being  shot  away.     The 
tire  of  the  enemy's  musketry  became  too  warm,  and 
continually  augmenting.     Our  troops  were   tlirown 
into  confusion  ;  and,  undisciplined  as  they  were,   it 
was  impossible  to  reduce  them  to  order.     I  perceiv- 
ed a  charge  our  dernier  and  only  resort.     We   rush- 
ed forward  against  a  host  of  savages  more    than  ten 
to  our  one.    They  fled  from  their  coverts  irregularly^ 
firing  in  retreat  from  every  palm  tree  and    partition 
wall  in  their  M'ay.     At  this  moment  1  received  a  l»al  I 
through  my  left  wrist  which  deprived  me  of  the  use 


GEN.    EATON.  33^9 

of  the  hand,  and  of  course  of  ray  rifle.  Mr.  O'Ban- 
non,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Mann  of  Annapolis,  urged 
forward  with  his  marines,  Grreeks,  and  such  of  the 
cannoniers  as  were  not  necessary  to  the  management 
of  the  fieUl  piece  ;  passed  throjigh  a  shower  of  mus- 
ketry from  the  walls  of  houses  ;  took  possession  of 
the  battery ;  planted  the  American  flag  nj)on  its 
ramparts  ;  and  turned  its  guns  u[)on  the  enemy  ;  who, 
being  now  driven  from  their  out  posts,  fired  only 
from  their  houses,  from  whicli  they  were  soon  dis- 
lodged by  the  whole  fire  of  the  vessels,  which  was 
suspended  during  the  charge,  being  directed  into 
them.  The  Bashaw  soon  got  possession  of  the  Bey's 
palace  ;  his  cavalry  flanked  the  flying  enemy  ;  and 
a  little  after  four  o'clock  we  had  com  pleat  possession 
of  the  town.  The  action  lasted  about  two  hours  and 
an  half.  The  Bey  took  refuge,  first  in  a  mosque, 
and  then  in  a  hiram,  the  most  sacred  of  sanctuaries 
among  the  Turks  ;  and  is  still  there  :  but  we  shall 
find  means  to  draw  him  thence.  As  he  is  the  third 
man  in  rank  in  the  kingdom  he  may  perhaps  be  used 
in  exchange  for  Capt.  Bainbridge. 

I  havei  fixed  my  post  in  the  battery  ;  raised  para- 
pets and  mounted  guns  towards  the  country  to  be 
prepared  against  all  events  ;  though  I  have  no  seri- 
ous apprehension  of  a  counter  revolution.  The  mo- 
ment of  gaining  Derne  has  been  peculiarly  fortunate, 
as  the  camp,  v/hich  long  since  left  Tripoli  for  its  de- 
fence, were  within  two  days,  fourteen  hours  march, 
the  day  of  our  attack  ;  of  which  we  had  information 
in  the  morning,  and  from  which  circumstance  "t  was 
with  much  difficulty  I  could  prevail  on  the  Bashaw's 
array  to  advance  to  the  city  and  to  obey  my  diirpv>si- 
lions.  The  camp  will  probably  take  up  a  retrogra  le 
march. 

Of  the  few  Christians  who  fought  on  shore,  I  lost 
fourteen  killed  and  wounded ;  three  of  whom 
are  marines,  one  dead  and  another  dying  ;  the  rest 
chiefly  Greeks,  who,  in  this  little  afi^air,  well  sup- 
ported their  ancient  character. 


340  LIFE    OF 

Ic  \vould  be  going  out  of  my  sphere  to  comment  on 
the  conduct  of  naval  commanders  in  the  field. 

Yet  I  should  do  violence  to  my  own  sense  of  duty 
and  obligation  were  I  not  to  observe  they  could  not 
have  taken  better  positions  for  their  vessels  nor  man- 
aged their  fire  with  more  skill  and  advantage. 

The  detail  I  have  given  of  Mr.  0*Bannon's  con- 
duct needs  no  encomium  :  and  it  is  believed  the  dis- 
position our  government  have  always  discovered  to 
encourage  merit  will  be  extended  to  this  intrepid,  ju* 
dicious  and  enterprising  officer.  Mr.  Mann's  con- 
duct is  equally  meritorious.  I  am  bound  also  by  a 
sense  of  well  merited  esteem  to  mention  lo  your  par- 
ticular patronage  a  young  English  gentleman,  Mr. 
Farquhar,  who  has  volunteered  in  our  expedition 
through  the  desert,  and  has,  in  all  cases  of  difficulty, 
exhibited  a  firmness  and  attachment  well  deserving 
my  gratitude  ;  if  compatible  with  our  establishments, 
I  request  you  will  ensure  him  a  Lieutenacy  in  the 
marine  corpes. 

jf  have  the  honor  to  be.  ivith 
great  respect  and  sincere 
attachment, 
Sir  J  your  very 

obedient  servant, 
WILLIAM  EATON. 
Samuel  Barron,  Esq.   Commander  in  Chief, 


Berne,  *.lpril2Qth,  1809. 
Sir, 

THE  information  I  have  the  honor  lo 
forward  of  this  date,  stating  in  abstract  occurrences 
sii?,ce  my  last,  will  not  disappoint  the  expectations 
my  calculations  then  may  have  formed.  Certain 
periods  of  your  letter  of  22d  ult.  Require  a  distinct 
and  separate  answer.  This  I  sliall  do  with  candor. 
It  was  understood,  when  government  came  to  a 
determination  to  try  the  eftect  of  a  cooperation  with 
Haraet  Bashaw  against  the  enemy,   that   provisions 


GEN.    EATON.  341 

would  be  made  adequate   to  the  experiment.     Six 
field  pieces,  a  tiioiisaml  stands  of  arms,    with  suita> 
ble  ammunition,  and  eighty   thousand  dollars   were 
asked  for  by  Hamet  Basiiaw  while  yetiu  possession 
of  this   province,    and   gaining  ground    against  the 
usurper.     The  Secretary  of  the  navy  informed  me 
that  the  arms,  ammunition,    and  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars would  be   furnislied  ;    and   they   were  to  have 
been  put  on  board  at  Hampton  roads.     While    the 
Squadron  were  getting   ready   for  sea,  information 
arrived  of  the  Bashaw  having  been   driven  from  his 
post,  and   retired  to  Egypt.      In   consequence    of 
which,  it  is  to  be  presumed,  the   supplies  getting  in 
readiness  were  withheld,  as  the  success  of  the   ex- 
periment then  appeared  very  doubtful.     The  twenty 
thousand  dollars  deposited  with  the  Consul  General 
at  Algiers,  to  be  applied  to  this   service,    cannot  be 
supposed  adequate  to  the  purpose  of  bringing  the 
Bashaw  from  his  exile  in  Egypt,  placing   him   in  a 
situation  to  act  against  a  rival   possessed  of  all  tha 
resources  of  his  kingdom,  and  of  carrying  his  plan  of 
operations  into  effect,  whatever  may  have   been   the 
disposition  of  the  people  towards  him.     The  twenty 
thousand  dollars  therefore   could    have  been  meant 
only  to  assist  the  research  of  the  Bashaw  and  the 
revival  of  his  aifairs,  in   case   our  plan  should   be 
thought  feasible.     Hence,  1  think,  ii  is  not  presura  - 
ing  too  far  to  conclude  that  the   unlimited  discretion 
vested  in  the  Commander  in  chief  in  reirard  to  all 
the  exigencies  of  the  war  :    and  particularly  as  it  re- 
lates to  the  object  in  view,    extends   to  every  matter 
necessary  to  its  accomplishment.     The   instructions 
of  the  Secretary  of  the  navy   certainly  cannot  mean 
to  tic  him  down  to  any  limited  applications.     The 
advantages  calculated  to  result  from   the  success  of 
this  measure  have  been  heretofore  stated  :  and   thus 
far,  the  experiment  has  not  disappointed  those  calcu- 
lations.    We  are  in  possession  of  the  most  valuable 
province  of  Tripoli.     The  high  estimation  the   ene- 
my places  on  this  department  of  the  kingdom  is  evi 


4S  LIFE    OF 


■7 


dericed  by  the  extraordinary  efforts  he  has  used  to 
defend  it,  and  by  the  menaces  to  which  he  has  re- 
sorted to  deter  us  from  the  operations  here  :  his 
camp  was  only  fourteen  hours  march  from  the  place 
when  we  seized  it  by  assault.  I  am  this  evening  in- 
formed they  are  retrogradeing,  and  only  regret  that 
we  have  not  the  means  of  pursuing  them.  The  ex- 
pences  already  incurred  in  this  expedition  will  a- 
mount  to  nearly  thirty  thousand  dollars — for  thir- 
teen thousand  of  which  we  are  indebted  to  Messrs. 
Briggs,  brothers,  of  Alexandria,  eleven  thousand 
have  been  received  through  the  hands  of  Captain 
Hull,  including  his  advances  and  drafts  in  Egypt. 
I  have  disbursed  nearly  two  thousand,  and  for  the 
residue  shall  be  indebted  to  individuals.  This  ex- 
pence  will  not  appear  extravagant  when  it  is  consid- 
ered, that  it  covers  all  our  expenditures  in  Egypt 
where  many  sacrifices  were  necessary  to  pass  the 
carriers  of  Turkish  jealousy  and  avidity  in  getting 
the  Bashaw  through  that  country  ;  of  furnishing 
horses,  tents,  arms,  and  ammunition  preparatory  to 
our  entering  the  desert ;  of  provisioning  a  thousand 
two  hundred  souls,  and  about  two  hundred  horses 
in  that  barren  desert  upwards  of  forty  days,  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  six  hundred  miles,  and  of  caravans 
for  transporting  these  provisions  the  whole  distance 
from  Alexandria  :  and  also  the  unavoidable  expend- 
itures in  presents  to  chiefs,  and  payments  to  troops  in 
order  to  gain  the  one,  and  avail  ourselves  of  the  ser- 
vices of  tJie  other. 

Ma.j/  ist.  The  situation  in  wliich  it  is  known 
Hamet  Bashaw  was  found  in  upper  Egypt  must  of 
itself  suggest  the  idea  that  he  must  be  destitute  of  all 
means  necessary  for  moving  a  military  expedition 
except  the  attachment  of  his  subjects.  The  posses- 
sion of  this  i)rovinee  does  not  materially  alter  that 
situation.  The  general  failure  of  the  harvest  which 
the  whole  coast  of  Barbary  experienced  last  season, 
i  together  with  the  extraordinary  tributes  which  Jo- 
\  seph  Bashaw  has  exacted  to  support  the  war,  has  ren- 


GEN.    EATON.  313 

dered,  not  only  this,  but  every  other  part  of  Tripoli 
poor  and  oppressed  ;  wholly  destitute  of  the  means 
of  contributing  any  thing  very  considerable  to  either 
of  the  rival  brothers.  This  is  a  circumstance  favor- 
able to  our  measures  if  we  will  go  to  the  expence  of 
profiting  of  it.  No  chief,  whatever  may  be  the  at- 
tachment of  his  followers,  can  long  support  military 
operations,  without  the  means  of  subsisting  and  pay- 
ing his  troops.  The  observation  is  peculiarly  appli- 
cable to  the  temper,  and  circumstances  of  the  Arabs 
of  this  country,  who  in  fact  form  its  real  strength — 
who  are  poor,  yet  avaricious  ;  and  who,  being  ac- 
customed to  despotism,  are  generally  indiiferent  a- 
bout  the  name  or  person  of  their  despot,  provided  he 
imposes  no  new  burthens.  Stronger  proof  of  this 
cannot  be  brought  than  the  difficulty  Joseph  Bash- 
aw's camp  has  found  in  recruiting  in  its  progress 
from  Tripoli.  It  left  that  long  since  with  about  two 
hundred  men. 

1  have  this  morning  intercepted  six  letters  from 
that  camp,  dated  only  four  days  since,  signed  by  the 
commander  in  chief,  the  Governor  of  Bengazi,  and 
an  aid  de  camp,  addressed  to  the  Governor  of  Derne, 
and  to  several  chiefs,  or  Ciiieks,  encouraging  them 
to  hope  and  perseverance,  and  stating  that  their  de- 
lay has  only  been  occasioned  by  expectations  of  re- 
ceiving reenforcements  from  the  Arab  tribes  :  tliey 
have  increased  their  number  only  three  hundred, 
though  they  have  passed  through  that  part  of  the 
country  nearest,  and  most  nearly  attached  to  the  ene- 
my. Haniet  Bashaw  brought  tv/o  thousand  Arabs 
into  the  iield  on  tlie  37th.  This  serves  to  siiew  the 
weight  of  money  with  these  people  ;  and  as  a  pretty 
irood  criterion  of  the  balance  of  influence  between  th 


» 


e 


two  Bashaws.  With  the  aids  contemplated  by  gov- 
ernment to  have  been  furnished  Haroet  Bashaw, 
when  in  the  position  he  now  holds,  I  have  no  doubt 
but  lie  may  proceed  lo  the  walls  of  Tripoli.  Bui, 
while  I  off'er  this  opinion,  I  cannot  conceal  my  ap- 
prehension, grounded  on  experience;,   that,  when  ar- 


344)  LIFE    OF 

rivttd  there  he  'vould  effect  little  without  more  mili- 
tary taient  and  firmness  than  exists  either  in  himself 
or  the  hordes  of  Arabs  who  attach  themselves  to  him. 
They  are  exactly  what  Volney  describes  of  the 
camps  of  the  Egyptian  Beys,  rather  a  rabble  than  an 
army.  And  in  our  affair  here,  they  held  safe  posi- 
tions, to  catch  fugitives,  until  the  doors  of  the 
enemy  were  opened  for  plunder,  when  they  became 
at  once  brave  and  impetuous.  If,  therefore,  the  co- 
operation is  to  be  pursued  with  him,  and  if  its  direc- 
tion is  to  be  confided  to  me,  it  must  be  on  condition 
that  detachments  of  regulars  may  be  occasionally  de- 
barked from  the  squadron,  or  procured  elsewhere  to 
aid  and  give  effect  to  such  operations  as  require  en- 
ergy. With  the  supplies  asked  for,  provisions  for 
our  Christians,  and  w  ith  the  firm  front  of  one  regu- 
lar regiment,  I  believe  it  would  not  be  presuming 
too  far  to  engage,  in  conjunction  with  the  squadron, 
to  force  the  enemy  to  take  refuge  in  a  sanctuary. 
But  I  confess  sir,  there  is  one  discouraging  circum- 
stance, resulting  from  the  declaved  views  in  affording 
auxiliaries  to  Hamet  Bashaw.  These  aids  are  to  be 
withdrawn  at  any  period  when  the  enemy  shall  pro- 
pose terms  of  peace  which  may  be  accepted  by  the 
agent  of  government  on  the  spot.  If  Hamet  Bash- 
aw is  to  be  used  solely  as  an  instrument  to  the  attain- 
ment of  an  object  exclusively  to  the  advantage  of  the 
United  States,  without  any  consideration  to  his  fu- 
ture existence  and  wellbeing,  I  cannot  persuade  my- 
self that  any  bonds  of  patriotism  diciate  to  me  the  du- 
ty of  having  a  chief  agency,  nor  indeed  any,  in  so 
extraordinai  v  a  sacrifice.  Certainlv  the  enemv  v;iU 
propose  any  terms  of  peace  with  us  the  moment  he 
entertains  serious  apprehensions  from  his  brother. 
This  may  happen  at  any  stage  of  the  war  most  like- 
ly to  rid  him  of  so  dangerous  a  rival,  and  uot  only 
Hamet  Bashaw,  but  every  one  acting  with  Iiira  must 
inevitably  fall  victims  to  our  economy  f 

If  we  proceed  no  ftirther  it  wouid  seem  incumbent 
on  the  honor  of  government,  in  the  eytni  of  peace,  at 


G£n.    EATON.  S45 

least  to  place  Haraet  Bashaw  in  a  situation  as  eligible 
as  that  from  which  he  has  been  drawn  ;  out  of  the 
power  of  an  incenced  and  vindictive  enemy.  Proba- 
bly Joseph  Bashaw  would  agree  to  establish  him  in 
the  government  of  this  province  and  Bengazi,  and 
to  restore  to  him  his  family.  He  may  perhapKS  be 
made  satisfied  with  such  an  accommodation,  and  the 
United  States  experience  fioia  it,  many  of  the  ad- 
vantages calculated  to  result  from  carrying  the  orig- 
inal plan  into  execution,  aud  consistently  with  both 
our  honor  and  interest.  At  all  events  I  am  deeply 
impressed  with  the  opinion  that  the  post  we  have 
secured  here,  should  not  be  abandoned,  nor  terms  of 
peace  precipitately  embraced  ;  indeed  it  were  to  be 
wished  that  the  elBfect  of  the  success  of  a  coopera- 
tion might  be  tried  :  it  would  very  probably  be  a 
deathblow  to  the  Barbary  system.  Any  accommo- 
dation savoring  of  relaxness,  would  as  probably  be 
death  to  the  navv  and  wound  to  the  national  honor. 
If  it  determined  either  to  proceed  or  hold  a  iK)sition 
here,  further  supplies  of  cash  and  provision  must 
immediately  be  sent  to  the  coast.  For  reasons 
which  will  suggest  themselves  from  preceding  obser- 
vations, it  would  not  be  good  policy  in  Hamet  Bash- 
aw to  levy  contributions  during  the  contest  with  his 
brother,  least  it  should  alienate  his  friends  :  on  the 
contrary,  he  ought  to  be  enabled  to  move  with  a  lib- 
eral hand.  Cash  will  do  much  with  the  inhabitants 
of  this  country  ;  even  those  whom  it  will  not  engage 
to  fight,  will  by  it  be  engaged  not  to  fight ;  with  it 
we  can  pass  generally.  But  if  we  here  and  there 
find  a  walled  tov,  u,  or  a  garrison  impervious  to  its  in- 
fluence, cannon  balls  and  bayonets  come  in  as  irre- 
sistable  agents. 

The  convention  I  have  entered  into  with  Hamet 
Bashav/,  may  be  useful  in  case  he  succeed  in  getting 
repossession  of  his  government :  otherwise  it  can  do 
no  mischief,  eveu  if  ratified,  as  will  appear  by  the 
precaution  in  the  second  article.     I   iuelose  a  copy, 

44- 


34S  LIFE    QF 

It  is  with  much  pain  I  keep  a  sedeDtary  position^ 
to  write  ;  this  circumsiaiire  with  the  indulgence  1 
allow  myself  to  expect  from  your  goodness  will,  I 
am  persuaded,  furnish  me  an  apology  fur  omissions 
and  inaccuracies. 

It  has  been  deemed  expedient,  by  Capt.  Hull  and 
the  other  Commanders,  whom  I  have  consulted,  and 
myself,  that  the  Argus  and  Nautilus  should  remain 
here  until  these  dispatches  can  receive  answers,  on 
account  of  the  enemy's  camp  being  in  the  vicinity. 
I  am  confident  it  will  not  approach  us,  ])ut  disperse, 
if  it  has  not  already.  Should  it  be  perceived,  how- 
ever, that  the  coast  is  to  be  abandoned,  it  would  en- 
courage an  effort  in  the  Commanders  to  gain  their 
post  of  destiaation. 

I  have  not  language  to  express  my  sense  of  grati- 
tude, and  obligation  for  your  exertions  in  forwarding 
us  supplies  :  without  them  we  must  have  perished. 
With  my  most  cordial  wishes  for  the  speedy  and 
perfect  reestablishment  of  your  health,  and  with  the 
assurance  of  my  sincere  respect  and  attachments^ 

/  have  the  honor  to  be. 
Sir,  your  faithful 
ohedient  servunt, 
fSisnedJ  W ILLIAM  EATON. 
Samuel  Barron,  Esq.  Commander  in  chief. 


Verne f  khigdom  of  Tripoli,  May  i5th,  1805. 

Sir, 

SINCE  my  dispatches  cf  29th  ultimo 
and  1st  instant,  we  have  been  occupied  ^vith  the 
movements  of  the  enemy's  troops  :  who  contrary  to 
our  expectations,  advanced  and  gave  us  ])att]e  on 
the  13th.  The  preceding  night  tlie  late  Bey  of 
Derne,  whom  I  found  inaccesi-able  in  his  sacred  asy- 
Inm,  escaped  to  their  camp  ;  and  having  gained  ve- 
ry correct  information  of  our  number  of  Christians 
on  shore  ;  and  carrying  with  him  the  confidence  of 
assurance  that  the  inhabitants    of  the  place   wculd 


GEN.    EATON.  847 

abandon  Haraet  Bashaw,  on  the  appea^rance  of  Jo- 
seph's forees;  gave  encouragement  and  motion  to  the 
latter.  About  9  in  the  morning  they  shewed  tliem- 
«elves  on  the  higli  grounds  iu  our  rear  ;  displayed 
five  standards  :  reconuoitered  us  a  while  ;  and  mov- 
«d  down  in  a  body,  and  attacked  a  detachment  of  a- 
bout  one  hundred  of  Hamet's  cavalry,  who  were 
posted  in  the  rout  about  a  mile  from  the  town.  These, 
though  they  disputed  the  ground  very  bravely,  were 
obliged  to  give  Avay  to  superiority  of  numbers.  The 
enemy  |)ursued  into  the  city  under  a  steady  fire- from 
the  Argus  and  Nautilus,  and  the  guns  from  our  bat- 
tery and  field  pieces,  and  proceeded  through  an  ir- 
regular fire  of  small  arms  from  ambuscades  quite  to 
the  Bashaw's  palace.  Here  they  met  a  warm  re- 
ception from  the  musketry  of  the  people  who  were 
near  him,  and  of  the  inhabitants  who  fired  from  tSie 
blind  wallsof  their  houses  :  but  they  seemed  .reso- 
lute to  get  possession  of  the  Bashaw's  person.  The 
weakness  of  our  post  would  not  Justify  a  sortie  to 
his  relief  :  and,  apprehending,  from  the  scattered 
and  relaxed  fire  of  the  musketry,  that  the  day  was 
lost  to  us.  1  turned  our  gans  upon  the  town.  Yerj 
fortunateJy  a  sliot  from  one  of  our  nine  pounders, 
killed  two  of  the  enemy  from  tlieir  horses  near  the 
palace.  They  instantly  sounded  a  retreat  ;  and, 
abandoning  the  town  at  al!  quarters,  were  every 
where  pursued  hw  Hamet's  cavalry,  until  they  were 
chaced  under  the  shot  of  the  vessels;  which  galled 
them  sorely  in  them*  flight.  A  little  befure  three, 
P.  M.  every  thing  in  the  city  was  reduced  to  tran- 
.quility,  and  the  enemy  were  seen  only  from  their 
heights.  I  am  happy  that  this  occurrence  enables 
me  to  correct  an  opinion  I  had  formed  from  the  af- 
fair of  the  S7th  ultimo,  that  the  Bashaw's  people 
calculated  too  much  on  saving  themselves  :  they 
certainly  left  the  burthen  of  tiiat  day  to  us,  Avith 
which  I  could  not  forbear  reproaching  their  chief  : 
in  this  engagement  they  exhibited  intrepidity  and 
good  conduct.     By  an  Italian  slave  who  escaped  the 


34S  LIFE    OF 

enemy  the  succeeding  evening,  and  by  deserters  who 
have  come  in  since^^  we  have  pretty  certain  informa- 
tion that  they  lost  twenty  eight  men  killed  and  fifty 
six  wounded,  eleven  of  whom  are  since  dead.  The 
Bashaw  lost  twelve  or  fourteen  killed  and  woimded. 
The  enemy  are  again  appearing  on  the  heights,  and 
by  what  we  can  learn,  are  making  arrangements  for 
another  assault.  As  a  species  of  defence,  they  are 
endeavoring  to  collect  camels  to  secure  their  front 
and  fianks.  These  travelling  breast  works,  it  is 
presumed  may  be  worked  both  ways  ;  and  may  per- 
haps,  be  rendered  useful  in  the  transportation  of  our 
baggage  to  Bengazi.  So  soon  as  the  issue  of  the  next 
recontre  is  decided,  whicli  will  probably  happen 
within  two  or  three  days,  if  at  all,  the  schooner  will 
go  ofi*  v/ith  dispatches. 

May  iGth.  Last  evening  two  oflRcers  deserted  to 
us  from  the  euemy.  Chicks  from  Cape  Mensurat, 
Selini  and  Ahaliel,  who  assure  us  that  the  camp  are 
in  great  disunion.  The  Beys,  stung  with  disappoint- 
ment and  shame,  and  their  Tripolitan  troops  are  for 
hazarding  another  attempt  on  Derne.  The  Arabs 
recruited  on  the  march,  are  opposed  to  it.  The 
number  of  Tripolitans  is  three  huiu'.red  and  fifty, 
well  mounted  :  of  Arabs  on  liorseback,  between  two 
aYid:  three  hundred  ;  and  about  three  hundred  Bedou- 
ins, or  desert  Arabs  on  foot. 

in  this  promiscuous  army,  are  two  or  three  hun- 
dred fugitives  from  this  place,  who  fought  us  on  the 
27th  ult.  and  who  now  pass  for  Tripolitans  and  A- 
rabs. 

May  i^tli.  The  enemy  have  thrown  up  {)arapets 
of  loose  stone  wall,  with  loop  holes,  around  their 
camp,  which  is  planted  three  miles  distant,  and  sep- 
arated from  us  by  a  chain  of  mountains,  and  are  em- 
ployed in  plundering  corn  and  forage,  for  their  own 
ancl  the  subsistance  of  their  horses.  By  fugitives 
come  in  this  morning,  Ave  learn  that  the  Arabs  obsti- 
nately refuse  to  advance  again,  within  reach  of  our 
cannon,  or  to  suffer  their  camels  to  be  used  as  breast 


genJ^eaton.  349 

works.  The  Beys  are  embarrassed.  They  must 
make  a  desperate  piish^  or  a  retrograde  inarch. 
Never  were  an  enemy  in  sa  favorahle  a  position  to 
be  attacked  by  a  cowp  de  main,  I  cannot  prc^  ail 
on  the  Bashaw's  people  to  attempt  it  :  they  never 
fight  by  night :  they  indeed  are  unwilling  to  go  out  of 
the  town  against  the  enemy,  before  receiving  some 
pecuniary  encouragement.  We  are  really  too  weak 
to  force  their  lines  alone  ;  and  the  state  of  the  veR. 
sels  does  not  admit  of  debarkations.  It  is  enough 
to  state  these  facts,  without  a  comment,  to  give  you 
a  sympathy  in  the  pain  we  suffer  under  these  morti- 
fying circumstances.  The  Nautilus  sails  to  night 
with  this  letter,  and  duplicates  of  my  last.  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  you  to  Capt  Dent,  whose  intelligence 
collected  on  the  spot,  and  whose  correct  judgment 
will  enable  him  to  supply  circumstantially  such  in- 
formation of  our  actual  position  and  future  prosj)ects 
as  may  not  be  gathered  from  my  cotnmunications. 
We  shall  endeavor  to  hold  this  post  till  his  return, 
(which  I  request  you  will  permit,)  though  I  ought 
not  to  conceal  my  apprehensions  that  it  will  be  very 
difficult  many  days  without  sup])lies.  The  enemy 
on  our  rear  cut  oii",  at  present,  all  provisions  which 
we  might  otherwise  draw  from  the  country. 

/  have  the  honor  to  be^ 
very  resvectfullf/.  Sir, 

your  most  obedient  servant, 
f Signed)  WILLIAM  EATON. 
Samuel  Barron,  Esq.   Commander  in  chief. 

N.  B.  Bread  and  rice  are  essential  articles  of  sub- 
sistence— coflFee  and  sugar  necesi^ary — some  salt 
provisions  and  small  rations. 


Berne,  May  2dikj  180;?. 
Sir, 

►SINCE  the  departure  of  the  Nautilus 
with  my  dispatches  of  the  i7lh;  the  enemy  have  dai- 


350  WFE   OF 

ly  shewed  themselves  in  a  menacing  posture  nearus  ; 
but  have  not  come  to  general   action.     Yesterday  a 
detacliment  of  abont  50  or  60  of  their  foot,    covered 
by  a  troop  of  horse,  descended  the  mountain  by  a  ra- 
vine, fell  upon  some  of  our  Arab  families,  who  were 
camped  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  and  drove  off*  sever- 
al cattle  and  camels.     The  Bashaw's  people  pursu- 
ed and  attacked  them  under   the   mountain  ;  killed 
and  vvounded  three  of  ihera,  and  recovered  their  cat- 
tle.    I  marched  out  with    Lieut.    O'Bannon,   Mr. 
Mann,  and  Farquhar,  and  thirty   rank   and  file,  A- 
mericans  and  Greeks,  from  tlie   garison,   and   took  a 
ravine  on  the  left,  with  a  view   of  cutting   off*  their 
retreat.     We  fell  in  with  them  soon  after   ascending 
the   moujitain.     They  opposed  to  us   a  short   resis- 
tance, but  fled  before  a  charge  af  bayonet.     We  pur- 
sued them  within  a  short   distance    of  their   camp  : 
killed  their  Captain  and  five  men  ;  wounded  a  num- 
ber, and  took  two  prisoners  ;    without  receiving  any 
injury  ourselves.     The  camp  beat  to  arms  ;  mount- 
ed and  moved  towards  us  in  a  body ;  but   did   not 
come  witliin  musket  shot.     They   could  not  ascer- 
tain our  number,  and  apprehending  that  we  were  an 
advanced  party  aiming  to  draw  them  into   an  ambus- 
cade on  ^lisadvantageous  ground,  formed  in  order  of 
battle  and  kept  their  post — while  we   retired  down 
the  mountain.     The   enemy  swore  vengeance  :  and 
resolved  to  execute  it   to  day.     About   nine   in   the 
morning  they  advanced  their  whole  force  and  posted 
themselves  on  an  eminence  in  fair  view.     Proper 
stations  were  taken  on  our  part  to  receive  them. 
They  reconnoitered  us  a  while  ;    but,   when  orders 
were  given  to  attack,  their  Arabs  mutinized  and  ret- 
rograded ;  and  tlie  Beys  were   compelled  to  follow 
with  their  Tripolitans. 

Ju.ne  M.  To  day  the  enemy  brought  themselves 
to  a  resolution  to  attack.  They  had  previously  forc- 
ed the  Arabs  into  oaths  of  fidelity  by  seizing  and 
chaining  hostages  from  their  most  considerable  fam- 
ilies :  but  their  movements  this  day   terminated  ex- 


GEN,    EATON.  351 

actly  as  on  the  37th.  The  Beys  attempted  to  forcfe 
the  Arabs  forward.  They  resisted  :  and  alledgcd, 
as  on  other  similar  occasions,  that  they  were  willing 
to  fight  an  enemy  of  their  own  mode  of  warfare  :  but 
they  could  not  resist  the  Americans,  who  fired  enor- 
mous balls,  that  carried  away  a  man  and  his  camel 
at  once,  or  rushed  on  them  with  bayonets,  withoftt 
giving  them  time  to  load  their  muskets. 

Last  evening  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  let- 
ter of  the  nineteenth  ultimo,  by  which  I  learn,  that 
the  reigning  Bashaw  of  Tripoli^  has  lately  made 
overtures  of  jpeace,  which  the  Consul  General, 
Colonel  Lear,  has  determined  to  meet ;  viewing  the 
'present  moment  propitious  to  such  a  step.  In  con- 
sequence of  which,  it  seems  contemplated,  that  we 
should  withdraw  ourselves  from  this  coast.  It  was 
an  event  anticipated  in  my  letter  of  the  first  ultimo, 
that  the  reigning  Bashaw  would  seize  the  moment 
when  he  should  apprehend  himself  seriously  in  dan- 
ger from  his  brother,  to  rid  himself  of  this  rival  by 
detaching  from  him  our  succor,  through  overtures 
of  peace.  Facts  establish  the  correctness  of  this 
conjecture.  That  the  inhabitants  of  Tripoli  are 
weary  of  the  war  is  well  ascertained.  That  they 
secretly  desire  the  restoration  of  their  legitimate^  sov- 
re/^^w  because  they  believe  him  peacably  inclined, 
transpires  through  various  indubitable  channels  :  and 
that  the  Arabs  and  Moors  of  the  kingdom,  who  form 
its  entire  population,  are  generally  in  a  revolutionary^ 
state  is  equally  true.  Joseph  Bashaw  is  not  ignor- 
ant of  these  dispositions.  As  early  as  the  month  of 
January  last  he  was,  according  to  the  Danish  Con- 
sul, v^ery  attentive  upon  our  transactions  icith  hm 
brother  in  Alexandria.  On  the  19th  ultimo,  late 
overtures  liad  intimated  to  the  Consul  General  liis 
inclination  towards  a  pacification.  We  had  then 
been  seventy  six  days  from  Alexandria  ;  thirty  five 
asTar  forward  as  Bomba  :  and  twenty  one  in  pos- 
session of  this  place.  Of  these  movements  and  op- 
erations,    intercepted    comiaunicafions   by    wav  of 


353  LIFE    OF 

M«nsurat  and  Bengazi  prove  to  lis  the  enemy  was 
not  uniiiiormed.  It  is  now  nineteen  days  since 
his  forces  w^ere  beaten  on  tliis  grojind ;  and  since 
that,  detached  parties  surprized  and  routed.  These 
are  also  events  wiiich  cannot  be  easily  concealed* 
It  does  not  appear  that  the  season  has  hitherto  per- 
mitted any  formidable  display  of  our  naval  force  be- 
fore Tripoli.  It  cannot  be  unfair  therefore,  to  infer 
that  the  pacific  overtures  of  the  reigning  B.ashaw, 
are  influenced  in  a  great  measure  by  apprehensions 
of  his  brothers  approach.  Yet  it  seems  not  to  be  ad? 
mited  that  we  have  any  obligations  towards  Hamet 
Bashavv'.  But  if  such  is  the  effect  of  the  enemy's 
apprehensions  from  tliis  quarter,  (who  certainly 
knows  liow  to  compare  the  relative  influence  of  the; 
parties,)  the  calculations  we  have  formed  of  the  ul- 
timate result  of  an  effectual  cooperation  should  no 
longer  seem  visionary.  I  do  believe  it  was  in  tlie 
contemplation  of  government  to  have  profited  of 
this  advantageous  circumstance  as  instrumental  to 
chastise  a  perfidious  foe,  rather  than  to  sacrifice  a 
credulous  friend.  I  know  it  was  in  the  general 
wish,  and  indeed  the  expectations  of  our  country, 
that  the  enemy  should  be  chastised.  How  far  this 
wish  and  expectation  will  be  satisfied,  from  the  ar- 
rangements now  in  operation,  time  and  events  must 
detertnine.  But  1  cannot,  from  any  shape  in  which 
the  subject  can  be  viewed,  be  persuatled  that  the 
mannet'  of  serving  ourselves  of  Hamet  Bashaw,  and 
abandoiiing  him,  can  be  reconciled  to  those  princi- 
ples oiJumor  ii\u\  justice,  whicii  I  know  actuate  the 
national  breast.  It  seems  enough  to  cancel  every 
})ledi;e  that  we  have  Ijrought  him  back  to  the  post 
from  wliich  lie  had  been  driven.  It  ought  to  be  tak- 
en into  consideration  that  this  is  no  other  than  tho 
post  from  whence  he  has  aiv/ays  asked  supplies  : 
and  that  consequently  setting  him  down  here,  just  as 
he  was,  can  render  liim  no  essential  ser\ice,  but  to 
abandon  him  here  under  actual  circumstances  where 
famine,  and  the  ravages  of  the   enemy's  forces   have 


GEN.    EATON.  363 

exhausted  the  resources  of  the  province,  and  while 
those  forces  are  still  in  the  vicinity  ;  cannot  but  leave 
him  in  a  more  hopeless  situation  than  he  left  the 
place  :  and  here  is  an  additional  reason  why  his 
mesLns  tive  not  materially  altered  for  the  better.  He 
was  driven  away  on  account  of  his  intercourse  with 
the  enemies  of  his  rival.  He  has  been  induced  to 
return  under  an  expectation  of  receiving  aids  from 
us,  to  prosecute  his  views  of  recovering  his  throne. 
I  thought  myself  authorised,  from  the  assurances 
given  me  by  the  Secretary  of  the  navyj  to  encourage 
him  with  tlie  prospect  of  receiving  those  aids — and 
frequent  expressions  of  your  resolution  to  make  an 
example  of  Tripoli  the  ensuing  summer,  fortified  me 
in  the  confidence  that  the  exercise  of  my  discretion 
here,  in  the  manner  I  have  done,  would  eventually, 
if  not  directly,  assist  the  accomplishment  of  these  ob- 
jects. The  resistance  we  met  at  this  place  is  said  to 
have  discouraged,  the  expectations  formed  for  the  co- 
operations in  view.  This  resistance  would  undoubt- 
edly have  been  less  obstinate,  had  not  the  vicinity  of 
the  enemy's  camp  in  some  measure  imposed,  or  at 
least  encouraged  it.  But  it  may  have  been  expected 
that  the  Governor  of  Joseph  Bashaw,  who  twenty 
months  ago,  with  forces  from  Tripoli,  drove  Hamet 
Bashaw  from  the  post,  and  who  still  held  posses- 
sion, would  oppose  his  return  by  all  the  means  in 
his  power.  Want  of  qualities  essential  in  the  char- 
acter of  a  commander  and  a  j)rince  is  stated  as  a  se- 
rious obstacle  to  the  advancement  of  his  cause.  We 
do  not  hitherto  find  that  the  enemy  possesses  those 
qualities  in  so  eminent  a  degree,  as  to  justify  a  com- 
parison to  the  prejudice  of  his  rival.  It  must  be  ad- 
mitted that  the  latter  possesses  the  capacity  of  com- 
manding respect  and  conciliating  affection  among 
his  subjects.  And  I  liave  lately  had  good  reasons 
to  correct  the  unfavorable  opinion  at  one  time  enter- 
tained of  liis  military  enterprise.  Yet  he  is  not  a 
General.  I  never  saw  but  one  Turk  who,  I  thought, 
deserved  that  character.     I  am  not   alone  in  the  o 

45 


354  LIFE   OF 

pinion.  It  is  a  general  belief  among  the  gentlemen 
who  have  acted  with  me,  that  Hamet  IJasha>v  pos- 
sesses talents  sufficient  for  our  purposes.  As  evidence 
of  this,  every  one  of  them  is  not  only  willing,  but  so- 
licitous to  pursue  the  expedition.  With  such  aids 
as  1  have  mentioned  to  be  thought  requisite,  w^e 
could  at  once  break  up  the  enemy's  camp  in  our 
front,  and  open  our  way,  without  farther  considera- 
ble impediments,  to  the  gates  of  Tripoli.  The  ene- 
my is  aware  of  this  ;  and  is  endeavoring  tc  outgen- 
eral us.  His  camp  is  abroad  ;  of  course  his  defence 
is  weakened  at  the  Capital.  The  total  defeat  of  his 
forces  here  would  be  a  fatal  blow  to  his  interests  : 
to  recal  them  would  be  to  abandort  the  provinces  of 
Derne  and  Bengazi  ;  but  to  remove  the  enemy  near 
him  by  paeitication,  he  may  safely  turn  all  his  re- 
sources against  bis  rival  :  and,  when  once  relieved 
from  this  danger,  we  shall  again  undoubtedly  have 
experiences  of  his  respect  to  treaty.  1  am  suspi- 
cious that  the  Spanisli  Consul  has  an  influence  in  Jo- 
seph Bashaw's  measures.  If  my  recollection  serves 
me,  he  was  accused  by  our  late  Consul,  Mr.  Cath- 
eart,  of  advising  the  war.  I  recollect  perfectly  well 
hearing  him  assert,  at  Tunis,  in  December,  1801, 
that  the  .^/wencaws  miscalculated  if  they  thought  of 
forcing  a  peace  tcithoiit  paying  for  it  Nalional 
shame,  perhaps  interest,  and  individual  pride,  engag- 
ed him  to  favor  such  an  issue  of  the  war  :  he  is  said 
to  be  the  confidential  man  of  the  Bashaw.  I  am  a- 
fraid  one  important  consideration  has  been  overlook- 
ed in  the  arrangements  lately  adopted  by  Mr.  Lear  : 
the  danger  of  falling  back  to  an  irrecoverable  dis- 
tance ;  in  ease  of  failure  of  the  negociati<>n  commtnc- 
ed  by  him,  and  at  the  same  time  tlie  ahaudonment  of 
the  advantageous  ground  we  hold  h»M'e  :  it  would 
certainly  have  a  tendency  to  unite  the  ]:ii)gdom  of 
Tripoli  against  us,  and  possibly  encour.ige  the  whole 
coast  of  Barl)ary  to  aggression  :  or.  should  it  even 
transpire  that  the  evacuation  of  this  post  had  been 
recommended,  it  would  certainly  have  an  uufavora- 


GEN,    EATON.  355 

ble  influence  on  the  pending  negociation.  Another 
consideration  is  involved,  which  cannot  hut  wound 
the  pride  of  military  principles  :  we  must  strike  Wie 
flag  of  our  country  here,  in  presence  of  an  enemy, 
who  have  not  merited  tlie  triumph  ;  and  yield  to 
them  the  honor  of  a  victory  wliich  no  encounter  hith- 
erto has  given  them  a  right  to  claim  nor  reason  to  ex- 
pect :  certainly  they,  and  perhaps  the  world,  will 
place  an  unjust  construction  on  this  retreat.  At  any 
rate  it  is  a  retreat  ;  and  a  retreat  of  Americans  !  If 
individual  feeling  were  alone  to  be  consulted  in  this 
situation,  it  would  prefer  a  manly  defeat  to  this  mode 
of  safety.  The  consequence  to  our  national  charac- 
ter would  he  mure  honorable. 

The  burthen  of  expenee  which  must  accrue  from 
pursuing  the  cooperation,  seems  an  insurmountable 
obstacle.  I  am  apprehensive  that  the  ultimate  ex- 
pence  of  maintaining  a  peace  with  Joseph  Bashaw, 
will  be  more  barthensome  to  the  United  Statas,  than 
that  accruing  from  this  cooperaiion  :  besides  it  is  cal- 
culated that  this  expenee  will  be  reimbursed.  It  is 
insinuated  to  me  that  the  Consul  General  is  opposed 
to  this  measure.  It  is  possible  that  he  may  have  bet- 
ter information  from  whence  to  form  an  opinion  of  its 
issue,  than  we  who  have  thus  far  accompanied  the 
expedition;  but  it  is  not  probable.  Has  he  any  agen- 
cy in  the  icar  ? — I  cannot  but  still  indulge  the  hope 
that  additional  instructions  from  government  will  ar- 
rive in  season  to  enable  you  to  furnish  the  means  of 
prosecuting  the  cooperation  to  effect,  of  cliastising 
the  temerity  of  our  enemy,  and  of  preventing  the 
melancholy  and  disjgreable  events,  which  present 
appearances  threaten. — ^You  would  weep^  sir,  were 
you  on  the  spot,  to  witness  the  unbounded  coniideuce 
placed  in  the  American  character  here,  and  to  reflect 
thai  this  confidence  must  slrortly  sink  intecontempt 
and  immortal  hatred  :  you  would  feel  that  this  confi- 
deuce,  at  any  price,  should  be  carried  through  the 
Barbary  Regencies,  at  least  to  Tripoli,  by  the  same 
means  that  it  has  been  inspired  here.     But,  if  no  fur- 


336  LIFE  OF 

ther  aifls  come  to  our  assistance,  and  we  are  compell- 
ed to  leave  the  place  under  its  actual  circumstances, 
humanity  itself  must  weep  :  the  whole  city  of  D erne, 
together  with  numerous  families  of  Arabs,  who  at- 
tached themselves  to  Hamet  Bashaw,  and  who  re- 
sisted Joseph's  troops  in  expectation  of  succor  from 
us,  must  be  abandoned  tj  their  fate  :  havoc  and 
slaughter  will  be  the  inevitable  consequence  :  not  a 
soul  of  them  can  escape  the  savage  vengeance  of  the 
enemy.  In  proceeding,  therefore,  thus  far  and  no 
farther,  instead  of  lending  aids  to  the  unfortunate 
people  whom  we  use  as  allies,  and  of  whose  situation 
we  are  actually  profiting  to  our  own  exclusive  bene- 
fit, we  involve  them  in  destruction  !  Could  I  have 
apprehended  this  result  of  my  exertions,  certainly  no 
consideration  would  have  prevailed  on  me  to  have 
taken  an  agency  in  a  tragedy  so  manifestly  fraught 
with  intrigue  ;  so  woundiug  to  human  feelings  ; 
and  as  I  must  view  it,  so  degrading  to  our  national 
honjr. 

It  is  impossible,  though  enjoined  on  me,  to  say 
any  thing  farther  to  Hamet  Basnaw  of  the  Squadron 
coojjerating  with  him,  after  having  been  officially  in- 
formeil,  that  a  negociation  is  opened  with  his  broth- 
er, witliout  so  far  considering  his  situation  as  to  have 
agreed  on  a  cessation  of  arms.  The  delusion  is  al- 
ready carried  too  far.  If  it  had  not  been  our  inten- 
tion to  support  him,  or  at  least  to  save  him,  both 
honor  and  religion  should  have  forbidden  any  en- 
couragement to,  or  use  of  him.  It  is  said  some  pro- 
visions will  be  attempted  in  his  favor  in  our  peace 
stipulations  ;  this  is,  however,  to  be  left  to  conven- 
ience. But  before  this  provision  be  definitely  ar- 
ranged, if  at  all,  and  information  of  it  received  here, 
no  armistice  being  agreed  on,  and  this  post  deserted 
by  us,  both  himself  and  adherents  may  be  cut  in 
pieces  by  the  enemy's  army  here,  and  by  such  of  his 
own  party  as  disappointment  and  rage  will  carry  o- 
vor  to  them. 


GEN.    EATON.  857 

Viewing  the  present  posture  of  affairs  therefore, 
either  as  elegible  to  our  national  honor  and  interests, 
or  the  situation  of  the  Bashaw  and  people  here,  I 
consider  it  due  to  the  confidence  of  government  and 
a  bond  imposed  by  all  the  injunctions  of  humanity, 
to  endeavor  to  hold  this  post  to  the  last  moment,  in 
hopes  that  some  happy  occurrence  may  take  place  to 
secure  our  own  and  at  the  same  time  to  assist  the  in- 
terests of  our  friends  ;  and  1  most  devoutly  pray  hea- 
ven, that  the  blood  of  innocence  may  not  stain  the 
footsteps  of  us  who  have  aimed  only  to  fight  the  ene- 
mies of  our  country. 

June  Sd.  Tiie  enemy  feinted  another  attack  to- 
day by  sending  a  detachment  on  the  back  of  the 
town,  which  was  repelled  with  loss.  Their  object 
seemed  to  aim  at  ascertaining  the  disposition  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  place  ;  these  turned  out  to  a  man  in 
view  of  them.  Their  main  body  halted  at  a  safe 
distance  :  and  after  some  manoeuvering  retired  to 
their  camp.  During  the  alarm,  a  detachment  from 
the  garrison,  under  command  of  Lieut.  O'Bannon  pass- 
ed through  town.  Every  body,  age  and  childhood, 
even  women  from  their  recluses  shouted,  '^  Live  the 
Americans  !  Long  live  our  friends  and  protectors  !"' 
Hapless  beings  !  If  they  could  descry  the  reverse 
that  probably  awaits  them,  how  justly  would  their 
acclamations  of  confidence  be  turned  to  execrations  ! 

June  5th.  This  morning  a  spy,  a  religious  chief, 
whom  I  had  employed  to  watch  the  enemy's  motions, 
and  wh«  last  night  slept  in  their  camp,  reports  that  a 
courier  arrived  yesterday,  eleven  days  from  Tripoli, 
with  dispatches  from  the  reigning  Bashaw,  to  his 
Commander  in  Chief  in  this  vicinity,  stating  his  in- 
tentions of  concluding  a  peace  with  the  United  States, 
which  he  was  resolved  to  carry  into  elFect,  even  if  he 
sold  his  ivardrobe  I  After  which  he  sliould  know 
how  to  dispose  of  his  internal  enemies.  He  enjoin- 
ed it  on  the  commander  to  hold  his  position  before 
this  town,  if  possible,  till  the  issue  of  this  project  of 
peace  should  be  known.     The  Mirabout  chief  added 


358  LIFE   OF 

that  the  Beys  had  it  in  contemplation  to  propose  an 
armistice  to  me.  I  shall  meet  such  an  overture,  if 
it  shoulfl  be  offered,  until  I  receive  further  advice 
from  head  quarters. 

Eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  This  morning  came  in  two 
deserters  from  the  enemy's  camp,  both  Levant  Turks, 
Ismien  and  Maiiamet,  a  Choux  and  a  Cheriff,  cor- 
responding with  the  rank  of  Aid  du  Camp  and  En- 
sign, who  confirm  the  information  before  stated  ;  and 
add  that  the  Beys  cannot  prevail  on  their  troops  to 
attack  this  place  under  our  battery,  and  guns  of  the 
shipping  ;  but  that  they  calculate  on  sacking  the 
city,  the  moment  we  evacuate  our  posts.  These  of- 
ficers put  themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  A- 
snerican  flag,  giving  this  reason  for  reference  that 
they  wished  to  get  out  of  the  kingdom  of  Tripoli, 
and  thought  this  a  favorable  occasion.  They  say 
Joseph  Bashaw  has  about  two  hundred  soldiers  in 
Tripoli,  in  whom  he  can  place  confidence,  and  three 
or  four  hundred  others,  who  are  undisciplined  and 
suspected.  They  declare  that  the  people  in  general 
of  the  kingdom  expect  with  solicitude  and  impatience 
the  approach  of  Hamet  Bashaw,  as  they  think  him  a 
good  man,  and  are  weary  of  the  madness  and  vio- 
lence of  his  brothe^r. 

Five  o'clock,  P.  M.  This  afternoon  an  Arabic 
chief,  Ab'd'el  Selim,  with  a  party  of  warriors  came 
over  to  us  :  he  brings  a  message  from  the  principal 
Arab  chief  at  camp,  tliat  he  will  come  over  to  the 
Sashaw  with  his  cavalry,  amounting  to  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty,  if  he  can  have  assurances  that  the 
Americans  will  not  abandon  him,  in  which  case 
Joseph  Bashaw  would  devour  his  family  and  lands. 
This  chief  asserts  that  the  Bey  of  Bengazi,  who  is 
with  the  camp,  is  well  disposed  towards  us  ;  and  on- 
ly waits  the  arrival  of  our  supplies  to  declare  him- 
self. 

Be  assured.  Sir,  we  only  want  cash  and  a  few  ma- 
rines to  proceed  to  Tripoli,  and  to  meet  jou  in  the 
citadel  of  that  niratical  kennel  for  the  liberation  of 


GEN.    EATON.  359 

our  captives.  li  would  only  occasion  a  delay  of 
their  release  a  few  months,  their  triumph  will  amply 
compensate  this  delay. 

It  is  thought  proper  to  dispatch  the  Hornet  with 
these  communications,  and  hold  ground  here  until 
your  answer  can  be  received. 

J?twe  9th.  Day  before  yesterday,  Hodge  Ismain 
Bey,  the  second  in  command  of  the  enemy's  army 
here,  deserted  with  a  few  attendants  and  camels,  took 
off  the  military  chest  and  entered  the  desert  for  up- 
per Egypt.  This  defection  is  said  to  have  been  caus- 
ed by  his  being  cha^'ged  with  bad  generalship  in  the 
affair  of  the  13th  ultimo.  He  commanded  the  cav- 
alry. 

June  iith.  Yesterday  morning  the  enemy,  having 
received  fresh  reinforcements  of  Arabs,  appeared  in 
great  numbers  on  the  heights  which  overlook  the 
town  ;  and  moved  along  the  site  of  the  mountain  for 
the  space  of  two  or  three  miles,  apparently  in  search 
of  some  avenue  to  descend  without  being  exposed  to 
our  cannon,  but  seemed  irresolute.  An  accident 
brought  on  an  engagement.  The  declivity  of  the 
mountain  is  a  steep  and  uneven  ledge  of  rocks,  with 
only  one  pass  where  cavalry  can  move  down  ;  and 
this  about  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the  town.  The 
plain  below  boi*dering  on  the  sea  about  one  mile  in 
depth  is  calcarious  rock  and  red  earth,  very  broken ; 
in  many  places  of  whieij  the  brass  twelves  could  take 
effect,  in  others,  impeded  by  ridges  near  the  shore. 
About  half  way  between  the  town  and  the  pass  of 
the  mountain  the  Bashaw  had  posted  a  few  cavalry 
to  serve  as  videts.  A  detachment  of  the  enemy*  of 
superior  numbers,  descended  the  pass  with  a  view  of 
cutting  off  this  po.-^t  :  but  they  were  manfully  resisted 
and  repelled.  Reniforeemcnts  of  small  parties  join- 
ed, and  continued  to  join,  on  one  side  and  the  other, 
till  about  two  o'clock,  when  the  action  liccame  gener- 
al. We  were  little  mure  than  spectators  of  the  scene. 
The  Argus,  as  often  as  thii  enemy  wei'c  uncovered 
from  tiie  ridges,  galled  them  with  her  shot  IVom  her 


360  LIFE    OF 

long  twelves  ;  (the  24  lb.  cannonades  could  not  reach) 
and  we  occasionally  brought  one  of  our  field  pieces 
to  bear  on  them  from  our  advanced  battery  ;  but  the 
fire  of  the  Hornet  was  lost  by  reason  of  her  being 
too  near  the  shore,  the  high  blujff  of  which  covered 
the  enemy.  Captain  Hull,  who  had  the  fairest  op- 
portunity of  ascertaining  it,  judges  there  were  five 
thousand  men  on  the  field.  The  engagement  lasted 
four  hours  :  though  frequently  charged  the  Bashaw 
lost  not  an  inch  of  ground.  At  length  the  enemy 
gave  way,  and  were  pursued  quite  to  the  pass  of  the 
mountain,  where  a  regard  to  safety  compelled  many 
of  them  to  quit  their  horses,  which  fell  into  the  hands 
of  our  friends.  This  action,  though  fought  in  the 
Barbary  manner,  was  conducted  judiciously  on  the 
part  of  the  Bashaw,  and  the  victory  was  decidedly 
his.  The  number  of  his  killed  and  wounded  is  be- 
tween fifty  and  sixty  :  among  the  latter  four  of  his 
principal  officers.  Some  Arab  women  who  came  in 
from  the  enemy's  camp  this  morning,  say  the  Beys 
lost  between  forty  and  fifty  killed,  and  upwards  of 
seventy  wounded.  If  we  could  have  furnished  but 
two  hundred  bayonets  to  assist  a  charge  and  cut  the 
pass  of  the  mountain,  not  a  horse  should  have  escap- 
ed. Mr.  O'Bannon  was  impatient  to  lead  his  marines 
and  the  Greeks,  (about  thirty  eight  in  number)  to  the 
scene  of  action.  This  could  not  be  done  without 
leaving  our  post  too  defenceless  in  case  of  a  reverse  : 
besides,  I  confess,  I  had  doubts  whether  the  meas- 
ures lately  adopted  by  our  commissioner  of  ])eace 
would  justify  me  in  acting  ofleusively  any  longer  in 
this  quarter.  Had  the  aids  come  foricard  season abJi/, 
tchich  we  Jwped,  to  receive  here,  we  might  now  have 
been  at  Cape  Mensural^  and  in  fifteen  days  more  at 
Tripoli.  Head  winds  have  detained  the  Hornet, 
and  a  gale  last  night  took  the  Argus  to  sea  :  as  soon 
as  she  returns  Captain  Evans  will  be  dispatched  to 
head  quarters. 

I  have  communicated,  some  days  since,  such  parts 
of  the  contents  of  your  letter  of  the  nineteenth  ultimo 


GEW.    EAtON.  361 

as  concern  him  to  Hamet  Bashaw.  He  answers, 
that,  even  with  supplies,  it  would  be  fruitless  for  him 
to  attempt  to  prosecute  the  war  with  his  brother  af- 
ter you  shall  have  withdrawn  your  squadron  from 
the  coast ;  but  without  supplies  he  must  be  left  in  a 
most  forlorn  situation  ;  for  he  can  command  no  re- 
sources here,  nor  can  he  place  any  faith  in  provis- 
ions which  may  be  stipulated  with  his  brother  in  his 
favor,  unless  guaranteed  by  the  United  States.  He 
emphatically  says  that  to  abandon  him  here  is  not  to 
have  cooperated  with  him,  but  with  his  rival  !  He 
wishes  us  to  take  him  off  in  case  of  a  peace.  I  am 
extremely  anxious  to  learn  the  issue  of  the  negocia- 
tion. 

Mean  time,  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

with  great  respect  and  consideration  j 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
WILLIAM  EATON. 
Samuel  Barron,  Esq.  Commander  in  chief  of  the 
United  States  forces  in  the  Mediterranean. 


On  board  the  United  States  frigate  Constella- 
tion, off  Derne,  June  iSth.  1805. 

Extract  *.  to  Commodore  Rodgers,  then   in  com- 
mand of  the  Squadron. 

Sir, 

AT  six  o'clock,  P.  M.  of  the  eleventh 
instant,  Capt.  Campbell  ancliored  in  tliis  road  ;  at 
eight,  sent  off  Lieut.  Wedersrandt  witli  your  letter  of 
the  sixth,  and  Col.  Lear's  of  the  fifth,  announcing 
the  conclusion  of  peace  with  Joseph  Bashaw  of  Trip- 
oli, and,  consequently,  requiring  me  to  evacuate  this 
post ;  and  the  next  morning  a  letter  from  his  own 
hand,  advising  me  that  his  ship  would  receive  my 
garrison.  About  nine  o'clock  the  Captain  came  on 
shore,  attended  by  a  few  of  his  officers,  whom  I  ac- 
companied  into  town.     I  now  coramunicated  to  the 

46 


'B6^  .     LIFE    OF 

Bashaw  the  news  of  peace  on  our  part  wiih  bis 
brother  ;  and  the  convention,  that  his  family  should 
be  restored  to  him  on  condition  of  his  quietly  with- 
drawing himself  from  the  kingdom.  He  said  he  had 
no  safety  but  in  leaving  the  country  with  us  ;  and 
even  this  would  be  impossible  with  him  and  hazard- 
ous to  us  if  the  project  sh(mld  transpire  before  carri- 
ed into  effect :  despair  would  drive  his  adherents  to 
revenge  and  we  must  fall  victims  to  it.  I  conse- 
quently kept  up  the  idea  of  an  attack  on  the  enemy, 
an  idea  which  had  been  excited  from  a  report  that 
reinforcements  had  come  out  in  the  frigate  for  this 
purpose  ;  and  accordingly  sent  ammunition  and  ex- 
tra rations  to  be  distributed  among  our  Moorish  and 
Arab  troops,  and  dispatched  spies  to  ascertain  the 
enemy's  position.  With  the  same  apparent  view  1 
inspected  the  garrison  ;  ordered  them  to  be  divested 
of  all  heavy  baggage  ;  and  to  be  held  at  their  post  in 
readiness  to  advance  at  the  word.  At  eight  in  the 
evening  I  placed  patroles  of  marines  to  stop  inter- 
course between  the  town  and  our  post  ;  this  was  a 
usual  precaution  at  this  hour,  with  only  the  differ- 
ence that  on  ordinary  occasions  this  duty  was  done 
by  rotine.  In  the  mean  time  all  the  Constellation's 
boats  were  laid  alon"-  side  our  wharf.  I  ordered  the 
Captain  of  cannoniers  to  embark  his  company  with 
the  field  pieces  and  a  ten  inch  howitzer  which  fell  in- 
to our  hands  on  the  37th  April ;  and  after  them  the 
Greek  company.  This  was  executed  with  silence 
and  alacritv  ;  but  witli  astonishment.  The  marines 
remained  at  their  posts.  When  the  boats  were  seen 
returning  I  sent  a  messenger  to  the  Bashaw  request- 
ing an  interview.  Understanding  the  purport  of  this 
message,  he  immediately  repaired  to  the  fort  with 
his  retinue  ;  dismounted,  and  embarked  in  the 
boats.  The  marines  followed  with  the  American 
officers.  When  all  were  securely  off,  I  stepped  in- 
to a  small  boat  which  I  had  retained  for  the  purpose, 
and  had  just  time  to  save  my  distance  when  the 
shore,  our  camp,  and  the  battery,  were  crowded  with 


GEN.    EATOX.  363 

the  distmcted  soldiery  and  populace  ;  some  calling 
on  the  Bashaw ;  some  on  me  ;  some  utterine; 
shrieks  ;  some  execrations  !  Finding  we  were  out  of 
reach)  they  fell  upon  our  ti^nts  and  horses,  which 
were  left  standing  ;  carried  them  ojQT,  and  prepared 
themselves  for  flight.  My  garrison,  together  with 
the  Bashaw  and  suit,  w^ere  all  on  board  the  Constel- 
lation about  two  in  the  morning.  Before  break  of 
day  ouir  Arabs  Avere  all  off  to  the  mountains,  and 
with  them  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  as  had 
means  to  fly,  taking  away  with  them,  every  living 
animal  fit  for  subsi^-tence  or  burthen  which  belonged 
to  the  place.  This  morning  a  Chaux  from  TriiJoK, 
who  came  out  in  the  frigate,  went  on  shore  under  ,a 
flag  of  truce,  and  carried  letters  of  amnesty  from  Jfl* 
seph  Bashaw  to  the  people  of  Derne  on  condition  of 
their  returning  to  allegiance.  He  stated,  on  ])is  re- 
turn, that  nothing  but  despair  depicted  itself  in  the 
visages  of  the  few  wretched  inhabitants  who  remain- 
ed ;  that  they  rejected  Joseph  Ba.^haw's  terms  of 
pardon,  declaring  that  they  knew  his  perfidy  too 
well  to  suffer  themselves  to  be  ensnared  by  it ;  and 
that  they  were  i^esolved  to  defend  themselves  to  the 
last  moment  from  their  terraces  and  walls  of  their 
liouses  against  his  troops.  It  is  to  be  hoped  the  po- 
sition they  have  taken  may  terminate  in  an  accom^ 
modation  and  save  the  tragedy  that  menaces  them. 
It  is  now  twelve  o'clock,  and  we  see  no  symptoms 
of  the  enemy's  troops  advancing  towards  the  town. 
This,  however,  may  be  accounted  for  on  other  prin- 
ciples than  those  of  humanity  or  arrangement.  On 
the  arrival  of  the  Constellation,  the  idea  impressed 
itself  on  tliera  also,  that  she  brought  troops  and  sup- 
plies ;  in  consequence  of  wliich,  they  decamped  dis- 
orderly and  retired  with  precipitation  to  a  post  fifteen 
miles  in  the  rear  towards  the  desert :  it  is  possible 
they  may  not  yet  have  heard  of  our  evacuation.  In 
a  few  minutes  more  we  shall  lose  sight  of  this  devot- 
ed city,  which  has  experienced  as  strange  a  reverse 
in  so  short  a  time  as  ever  was  recorded  in  the  disas- 


364  LIFE   OF 

ters  of  war  ;  thrown  from  proud  success  and  elated 
prospects  into  an  abyss  of  hopeless  wretchedness. 
Six  hours  ago  the  enemy  were  seeking  safety  from 
them  by  flight ;  this  moment  we  drop  them  from  ours 
into  the  hands  of  their  enemy,  for  no  other  crime  but 
too  much  confidence  in  us  ! 

The  man,  whose  fortune  we  have  accompanied 
tlms  far,  experiences  a  reverse  as  striking.  He  falls 
from  the  most  flattering  prospects  of  a  kingdom,  to 
beggary  ! 

Col.  Lear  to  Gen.  Eaton. 

Tripoli,  in  Barhary,  June  Gth^  1805. 

IN  consequence  of  a  representation 
made  to  me  by  Commodore  Barron,  that  the  present 
was  a  favorable  moment  for  us  to  enter  into  a  negoci- 
ation  with  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli,  and  my  instruc- 
tions leaving  it4o  the  judgment  of  the  Commander 
of  our  forces  in  this  sea,  to  determine  the  proper  time 
for  sttch  an  attempt,  I  repaired  off'  this  place  on  the 
26th  ultimo,  in  the  United  States  frigate,  Essex,  and 
immediately  opened  a  communication  with  the 
Bashaw.  His  demands  were  200,000  dollars  for 
peace  and  ransom,  and  the  delivery,  on  our  part,  of 
all  the  Tripqlines  in  our  possession,  and  a  restoration 
of  all  their  property.  These  terms  were  at  once  re- 
jected in  toto  ;  and  after  some  discussion,  I  propos- 
ed, as  the  ultimatum,  that  a  mutual  delivery  of  pris- 
oners should  tak^  place,  and  as  he  had  a  balance  of 
more  than  two  hundred  in  his  favor,  I  would  give 
him  60,000  dollars  for  them  ;  but  not  a  cent  for 
peace,  which  should  be  made  on  terms  of  the  most 
favored  nation  with  whom  he  has  a  treaty,  and  x 
regulation  respecting  prisoners,  if  a  future  war 
should  take  place  between  our  nations.  And,  in 
order  to  prevent  any  fruitless  altercation,  I  declared 
I  would  not  go  on  shore  to  complete  tlie  business  un- 
til these    terms  were    forraallv    acceded  to.     Th? 


GEN.    EATON.  865 

weather  proving  bad,  for  the  season,  obliged  our  ves- 
sels to  keep  oif  and  prevented  a  regular  cimmunica- 
tion  with  the  shore,  which  protracted  the  completion 
of  the  preliminaries  till  the  3d  inst.  when  they  were 
sent  off  to  me  with  the  Bashaw's  seal.  I  immedi- 
ately went  on  shore,  and  in  24  hours  all  the  officers 
and  crew  of  the  late  frigate  Philadelpiiia,  were  sent 
on  board  the  ships. 

I  found  that  the  heroic  bravery  of  our  few  Coun- 
trymen at  Derne,  and  the  idea  that  we  had  a  large 
force  and  immense  supplies  at  that  place,  had  made 
a  deep  impression  on  the  Bashaw.  I  kept  -up  that 
idea,  and  endeavored,  from  thence,  to  make  an  ar- 
rangement favorable  to  his  brother,  who,  although 
not  found  to  be  the  man  whom  many  had  supposed, 
was  yet  entitled  to  some  consideration  from  us.  But 
I  found  that  this  was  impracticable,  and  that,  if  per- 
sisted in,  would  drive  him  into  measures  which 
miglit  prove  fatal  to  our  countrymen  in  his  power. 
I  therefore  engaged,  of  course,  that  on  the  conclusion 
of  peace,  we  should  withdraw  all  our  forces  and 
supplies  from  Derne  and  other  parts  of  his  domin- 
ions, and  the  Bashaw  engages,  that  if  his  brother 
withdraws  himself  quietly  from  his  dominions,  his 
wife  and  family  shall  be  restored  to  him.  This  is 
all  that  could  be  done,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  the 
United  States  will,  if  deserving,  place  him  in  a  sit- 
uation as  eligible  as  that  in  which  he  was  found. 

I  presume  that  long  before  this  reaches  you,  (if  it 
should  find  you  at  Derue)  you  will  have  receive^ 
Commodore  Barron's  letters  by  the  sloop  Hornet, 
which  convey  iiis  sentiments  and  instructions  fully 
on  this  subject.  In  consequence  of  a  continuance  of 
his  ill  health,  he  has  resigned  the  command  of  our 
Squadron  in  this  sea,  to  John  Rodgers,  Esq.  the  ofiG- 
cer  next  in  seniority  to  himself,  who  sends  from  this 
place  the  United  States  frigate,  Constellation,  Capt. 
Campbell,  with  this  letter  and  his  dispatches. 

The  Bashaw  has  requested  that  a  Chous  may  be 
permitted  to  go  in  the  frigate  to  Derne,  who  will  not 


366  LIFE   OF 

land ;  but  merely  send  on  shore  letters  from  the 
Bashaw,  and  return  in  the  frigate  to  the  port  to  which 
she  may  be  destined. 

I  pray  yon  will  accept  youi-self,  and  present  to 
Mr.  O'Bannou,  and  our  brave  countrymen  with  you, 
my  sincere  congratulations  on  an  event  which  your 
and  their  heroic  bravery  has  tended  to  render  so 
honorable  to  our  country. 

fVith  consideration  and  esteem, 
I  have  the  honor  to  be. 
Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant y 
TOBIAS  LEAR. 
Commissioner  of  the  United  States,  for  negociating 
a  peace  with  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli. 

Extract  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Syracuse,  July  Qth,  1805. 
I  HAVE  the  honor  to  inclose  herewith, 
copies  of  my  communications  to    the   Commodores 
since  I  left  Egypt.     By  the  next  occasion  shall  give 
the  correspondence. 

I  cannot  but  think  our  pacification  has  been  too 
much  precipitated.  Was  it  contemplated  that  so 
formidable  a  squadron  should  be  sent  into  this  sea  to 
negociate  without  showing  itself  before  the  enemy's 
port  ?  Such  is  the  fact  !  If  it  had  only  appeared  off 
the  place,  I  have  no  doubt  the  effect  would  have  been 
a  peace  without  money.  If  it  had  gone  into  vigorous 
cooperations,  Joseph  Bashaw  must  have  resigned  at 
discretion,  or  saved  himself  by  jiight :  he  was  calcu- 
lating more  on  this  than  on  dpfence.  But  we  have 
peace  ! 

The  whole  expence  of  my  expedition  in  cash  a- 
mountsto  S39,108  58  cents,  payment  of  troops  in- 
cluded. As  soon  as  I  can  effect  a  fall  settlement, 
my  accounts  will  be  transmitted.  It  will  be  neces- 
sary to  negociate  bills  on  your  department,  in  order 
to  em-jble  me  to  do  tliis;,  to  the  amount  of  S7,083  58. 


GEN.    EATON.  367 

J^In  order  to  give  the  reader  the  grounds  of  disagree- 
ment between  Gen.  Eaton,  and  Com.  Barron, 
and  Mb.  Lear,  the  following  letters  and  extracts 
are  submitted.  The  reader  will  -particularly  at- 
tend to  the  dates,  and  the  secret  verbal  orders  of 
Com.  Barron,  the  original  of  which  is  attested 
in  the  handwriting  of  Capt.  Hull,  and  Gen. 
Eaton.] 

Verbal  orders  of  Commodore  Barron,  to  Captain 
Hull,  of  the  United  States  brig  Argus,  in  pres- 
ence of  the  Undersigned,  on  board  the  Presi- 
dent. 

Sept.  i5th,  1804. 
Sir, 

THE  written  orders,  I  here  hand  you: 
to  proceed  to  the  port  of  Alexandria  or  Smyrna  for 
the  purpose  of  convoying  to  Malta  any  vessels  you 
may  find  there,  are  intended  to  disguise  the  real  ob- 
ject of  your  expedition  ;  whieli  is  to  proceed  with 
Mr.  Baton  to  Alexandria  in  search  of  Hamet  Bash- 
aw, the  rival  brother  and  legitimate  Sovereign  of  the 
reigning  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  ;  and  to  convey  him  and 
his  suit  to  Derne  or  such  other  place  on  the  coast  as 
may  be  determined  the  most  proper  for  cooperating 
with  the  naval  force  under  ray  command  against  the 
common  enemy  :  or,  if  more  agreeable  to  him,  to 
bring  him  to  me  before  Tripoli. 

Should  Hamet  Bashaw  not  be  found  at  Alexan- 
dria, you  have  the  discretion  to  proceed  to  any  other 
place  for  him  where  the  safety  of  your  ship  can  be, 
in  your  opinion,  relied  upon.* 

The  Bashaw  may  be  assured  of  the  support  of  my 
squadron  at  Bengazi  or  Derne  ;  where  you  are  at 
liberty  to  put  i«,  if  required,  and  if  it  can  Ke  done 
without  too  great  risque.  And  you  may  assure  him 
also  that  I  will  take  the  most  effectual  measures  vv^ith 
the  forces  under  my  command  for  cooperating  with 


S,68  LUE   OF 

him  against  the  usurper,  his  brother  ;  and  for  reestab- 
lishing him  in  the  regency  of  Tripoli.  Arrange-i 
meiits  to  tills  effect  with  him  are  confided  to  the  dis- 
cretion with  which  Mr.  Eaton  is  vested  by  the 
Government. 

/JH..,   S  ISAAC  HULL, 
-^^'^est.  ^  WILLIAM  EATON. 

Extract  from  the  instructions  of  the  Navy  De- 
PARTMENT  to  CoMMODORE  Barron,  communicat- 
ed  by  Barron  to  Eaton. 

*^  WITH  respect  to  the  Ex-Bashaw  of 
Tripoli,  we  have  no  objection  to  your  availing  your- 
self of  his  cooperation  with  you  against  Tripoli,  if 
you  shall,  upon  a  full  view  of  the  subject  after  your 
arrival  upon  the  station,  consider  his  cooperations 
expedient.  The  subject  is  committed  entirely  to 
your  diser^on.  In  such  an  event,  you  will,  it  is 
believed,  find  Mr.  Eaton  extremely  useful  to  you. 
(The  sum  appropriated  to  this  object  SSO,000'') 

C>  This  line  inclosed  in  the  parenthesis  is  not  in 
the  Commodore's  instructions.     J\*ote  by  Eaton. 


Extracts  from  Com.  Barron  to  Gen.  Eaton.  • 

Malta,  March  i%d,  1805. 
1  CANNOT  but  applaud  the  energy 
and  perseverance  that  has  characterized  your  prog- 
ress through  a  series  of  perplexing  and  discouraging 
difficulties,  to  the  attainment  of  the  object  of  your  re- 
search ;  an  attainment  which  I  am  disposed  to  con- 
sider as  a  fair  yresage  of  future  success.  On  re- 
ceipt of  these  communications,  I  did  not  lose  a  mo- 
ment in  making  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
sending  you  succors,  and  I  now  dispatch  the  Argus 
brig,  with  the  sloop  under  her  convoy,  carrying  a 
Variety  of  stores  and  provisions  according  to  the  ac- 


GEN.    EATON.  369 

companying  list.  Capt.  Hull  will  shapie  his  conrse 
direct  for  Bomba  where  he  calculate!?  on  finding  you 
^ith  the  Bashaw  and  his  army,  and  where  he  stip- 
p(tses  you  will  make  a  stand.  I  have  direfeted  him 
to  deliver  these  stores  to  you,  to  be  applied  as  your 
discretion  may  direct.  He  has  also  under  his  charge 
a  um  in  specie  amounting  to  seven  thousand  dollars, 
vagich  is  likewise  to  be  placed  at  your  disposal, 
len  the  time  these  vessels  establish  a  communication 
wrtii  you,  you  will  have  been  enabled  to  form  a  cor- 
rect opinion  as  to  th«  prospect  of  ultimate  success  ; 
and  thence  to  estimate  the  advantages  likely  to  re- 
sult to  our  affairs  from  this  cooperation  ;  and  by  this 
opinion  you  must  be  governed  in  the  application  of 
thq  succors.  Should  you  have  encountered  unex- 
j^ected  difficulties  which  place  the  chances  of  success 
upon  mrre  than  precarious  grounds,  your  own  pru- 
fl"  suggest  the  propriety  of  not   committing 

Cos   Mhd  the  money  uncontroledly  to  the 

-ashaw.     Indeed  in  the  point  of  view 

ard  the  measures  already  pursued  as 

Sir,         iect  of  cooperation   generally,  I  con- 

WiM  tread  with  the  utmost  circumspec- 
a  this  harbor  on  i 

'assage.)  I  had  th^ensible  Sir,  that  in  giving  their 
s^  the  29th  ultimo  ai^'ation  Avith  the  exiled  Bashaw, 
gre  of  Derne,  after  a  contemplate  the  measure  as 
le^erve,  that  your  coiAud  absolutely  to  a  reinstate- 
m(s  inarms  will  not  his  righcs  on  the  Regency  of 
Ti  countrymen  have  e>  have  viewed  the  cooperation 
in  'Sarbary.  which,  provided  there  exist- 

ed have  perused  with  d  in  the  Exile,  and  attach- 
meits  and  reasons  adduce>T>art  of  his  former  subjects, 
mi' the  subject  of  pursui  common  furtherance  and 
ad  I  Haraet  Bashaw.  Beii.l  of  our  cause,  but  with- 
out the  exertion  of  letter  w  elves  by  any  specific  or 
defi  ng  with  difficulty,  Qw'mi,  as  the  tenor  of  my  in- 
stru  it  is  impossible  for  me  t'S  an  extract)  and  the 
limi  ;  nor  does  it  indeed  appea'  that  special  purpose, 
clea  is  now  arrived  at  that  pcV  the  Convention  you 
aw,  after  being  put  in  pos; 


370  Li^'fi  0^ 

were  about  to  enter  into  with  Hamet,  and  by  the 
Gomiilexion  of  other  measures  that  a  wider  range 
may  have  been  taken  than  is  consistent  with  the 
powers  vested  in^nje  for  that  particular  object. 

The  consequences  involved  in  such  an  engage- 
ment cannot  but  strike  you  forcibly,  and  a  general 
view  of  our  situation  in  relation  to  the  reigning  Bas^  - 
aw,  and  our  unfortunate  countrymen  in  Tripoli,  w  1 
be  sufficient  to  mark  its  inexpediency.  I  shall  cons^' 
er  it  my  duty,  as  it  certainly  is  my  inclination,,  to^ui- 
ford  you  every  aid  compatible  with  the  authority 
vested  in  me,  and  commensurate  with  the  means 
placed  at  ray  disposal ;  and  you  may  depend  upon  the 
most  active  and  vigorous  support  from  the  squadron, 
as  soon  as  the  season  and  our  arrangements  will  per- 
mit us  to  appear  in  force  before  the  enemy's  walls  ; 
but  I  wish  you  to  understand,  that   no  2;uar«ntee  or 


stand  in  the  way  of  our  acquiescence  \  '         ' 
ble  and  advantageous  terms  of  accomi  •    •         ,   . 
the  present  Bashaw  may  be  induced  '    i?.„         ^^ 

It  IS  impossible  tor  me  to  comply 
sition  for  one  hundred  marines  to 
coast.     Such  a  step  in  the  pi-esen  ^^^  ^  j; 

iar   exceeds  my  powers  ;  and,  '  *• 

■want  of  hands, ^  I  could  not  feel^^^;^  ^^rf,  I80.^m 
detaching  so  consulerable   forCppi^uj   the  en  ell 

1  sliould  be  wantin";  in  lustL  *A„-  „,i  .;j 

,    ,,       ^  ,    ^      J  ,,  ^cterized  your  \)ih 

as  o  tlie  officers  who  have  tl^^    ^„j  discourlrce 
and  dangers,  were  I  not  to  ,.^^  ^^^^^  ^^        »ce 
upon   your  courage,    eneis:  am  disno    d  f    * 
well  as  my  ardent  desiie;^,,^,  ^JJ^l     ^^"^ 
expectations    may  be  v^^^^  j  ,|i^j  ,,^^  j  ^«- 

which  1  here  convey  to  yo.cn,,.,    ^^,.„.  ,' 

ed  to  coolvour  zcaf  ovdiL     ^  ,.arrangemenb>?5, 
en  to  cooiyom  ^cat^  oi  ai^^^  dispatch  the  ^ke 
but  they  are  what  I  conr,,,,  ^^^/^.^^^^   ^^^.^/^^^-^ 

•For  what?  /^^"^  according  to  f' 


ftU 


GEN.    EAT^iN.  371 

aad  drawn  from  me  by  the  purest  feeling  of  duty  ; 
and  as  such,  permit  me  to  recommend  tbem  to  your 
calm  and  candid  consideration,  and  request  you  will 
make  them  the  subject  of  conversation  with  Captain 
Hull,  who  is  fully  possessed  of  my  sentiments.  As 
in  enterprizes  similar  to  that  in  which  you  are  en- 
gaged, much  is  left  to  fortune,  so  also,  much  is  de- 
pendent on  the  operation  of  circumstances.  Hence 
the  impropriety  of  tying  you  down  with  positive  in- 
structions. Many  things  must  necessarily  occur,  in 
which  your  judgment  and  discretion  alone  can  be 
your  guide  :  and  indeed  your  further  proceedings 
will  depend  so  completely  upon  events  and  circum- 
stances, impossible  for  me  to  estimate  or  foresee,  that 
I  must  consider  myself  rather  as  your  counsellor 
than  your  director. 

Com.  Barron  to  Gen.  Eaton 

Malta,  May  19,  180i">. 

S'lR, 

BY  the  Hornet  sloop,  which  arrived 
in  this  harbor  on  the  16th  inst  (having  bad  a  tedious 
passage,)  I  bad  the  honor  to  receive  your  dispatches 
of  the  39th  ultimo  and  1st  inst.  announcing  the  cap- 
ture of  Heme,  after  a  contest,  in  which,  permit  me  to 
observe,  tliat  your  conduct  and  that  of  your  compan- 
ions in  arms  will  not  discredit  the  character  which 
our  countrymen  have  establislied  among  the  nations 
of  Barbary. 

I  have  perused  with  deserved  attention  the  argu- 
ments and  reasons  adduced  in  your  letter  of  the  1st, 
on  the  subject  of  pursuing  the  cooperation  with 
Sidi  Haraet  Bashaw.  Being  myself  still  too  Aveak 
for  the  exertion  of  letter  writing,  and  my  secretary 
writing  with  difficulty,  os^ing  to  an  inflamation  in  his 
eyes,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  enter  into  a  lengthy 
reply  ;  nor  does  it  indeed  appear  necessary  ;  the  busi- 
ness is  now  arrived  at  that  point,  where  if  the  Ex- 
Sashaw,  after  being  put  in  possession  af  Heme,  his 


37^  LIFE   OF 

former  governmeDt  and  the  district  in  which  his  inter- 
est is  said  to  be  the  most  powerful,  has  not  in  him- 
self energy  and  talent,  and  is  so  destitute  of  means 
and  resourses,  as  not  to  be  able  to  move  on  with  suc- 
cessful progress,  seconded  by  our  naval  force  acting 
on  the  coast,  he  must  be  held  as  unworthy  of  fr*t'ther 
support,  and  the  cooperation  as  a  measure  too  expen- 
sive and  burthensome,  and  too  little  pregnant  with 
hope  or  advantage,  to  justify  its  farther  prosecution  ; 
for,  whatever.  Sir,  may  have  been  once  the  intentions 
of  government  on  this  subject,  and  whatever  your 
ideas  touching  those  intentions,  I  feel  that  I  have 
already  gone  to  the  full  extent  of  my  authority. 
My  instructions  from  the  navy  department  on  this 
particular  point  with  which  you  are  not  unacquaint- 
ed, fall  very  short  of  that  unlimited  discretion  and 
power  of  application  as  relates  to  funds  insisted  on 
in  your  communications,  and  are  totally  silent  with 
regard  to  the  quantity  and  description  of  stores  and 
supplies  which  you  mention  to  have  been  in  the  con- 
templation of  government  to  furnish  to  the  Bashaw  ; 
hence  you  will  be  sensible  that  without  taking  a  lat- 
itude that  must  involve  me  in  a  sum  of  responsabili- 
ty,  whicli  it  were  the  extreme  of  imprudence  and 
rasliness  to  encounter,  I  cannot  proceed  further. 
Inde])endcnt  of  this  consideration  it  may  not  be  im- 
proper to  state  that  I  have  not  at  my  disposal  funds 
sufficient  to  meet  the  lar.?;e  sums  which  accordins;  to 
your  calculations  would  be  required  to  pursue  the 
plan  with  effect. 

With  respect  to  any  engagements  to  Sidi  Hamet, 
I  cannot  consider  them  as  definite  or  specific.  By 
our  resources  and  by  your  enterprize  and  valor  we 
have  placed  him  at  the  post  from  whence  he  was 
driven  when  first  he  solicited  the  aid  and  support  of 
our  arms,  and  in  "^  the  most  valuable  province  of 
Tripoli :"  in  performing  which,  I  conceive  we  have 
fulfiled  every  pledge,  and  that  he  can  neither  charge 
us  with  bad  faitli  in  our  engagements  or  with  injus- 
tice towards   himself.     This  want  of  those  qualities 


GEN.    EATON.  373 

SO  essential  in  tlie  character  of  a  commaudcv,  and  es- 
jjecially  to  a  Prince,  contendiuJ^  for  his  throne,  is  a 
serious    obstacle  to  the  advancement  of  his   cause  ; 
not  to  be  surmounted  even  by  the  existence  and  man- 
ly exertion  of  them  in  those  abcjut  his   person.     BiJit 
it  is  certainly  what  we  had  no  right  to  anticipate  and 
still  less  to   suppose,  that  when  master  of  the  finest 
province  in  his  kingdom,  where  his  influence  is  great- 
est and  his  adherents  most  numerous,  "  his  situation 
would  not  be   materially  alleied,''    aud   himself  as 
destitute  of  means  to  carry  on  the  contest  as  when 
brought  from  his  exile  in  Egypt.     In  shorty  Sir,  the 
matter  reduces  itself  to  this  :  We  are  ready  and  wil- 
ling to  support  the  the  Bashaw  by  an  union  of  opera- 
tions on  the   coast  so  long  as   the  war  with  Tripoli 
continues,  but  his  Excellency  must  be  explicitly  ia- 
formed  that  our  supplies  of  money,  airas  and  pro\as- 
ions  are  at  an  end  and  that  he  must  now  depend  upon 
his  own  resources   and  exertions.     This  determina- 
tion will  suggest  to  you  and  your  comrades  that  line 
of  conduct  most  prudent  to  be  adopted  in  the  present 
posture  of  affairs.     I  have  lost  no  time  in  dispatching 
the  Hornet  with  a  supply  of  provisions  for  the  crews 
of  the  Argus  and  Nautilus,  and  the  Christians  under 
your  command,  and  I  hope  she  will  arrive  in  time  to 
prevent  your  suffering  from  want. 

I  have  now  to  acquaint  you  with  an  occurrence  in 
our  affairs  interesting  in  itself  and  momentous  as  re- 
lates to  your   situation.     In   consequence   of  recent 
advices  from  Tripoli,  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to 
state  to  the   Consul  General,  Col.  Lear,  (now  at  this 
place)  my  candid    opinion  that  the  present  is  a  mo- 
ment  highly  favorable  to  treat  for  peace  and  a  com- 
munication has  just  been  handed  me  from  that  gentle- 
man expressing  his  determination  to  meet  the  over- 
tures lately  made  ])j^  the  reigning  Bashaw,  so  far  as 
to  found  on   it  the  commencement  of  a  negociation, 
and  to  proceed  to  Tripoli  in  the  Essex  Frigate,  in  the 
course  of  this  week.     From  a  variety   of  concurring 
circumstances  the  present  period  appears  propitious 


37^  LIFE    OF 

to  such  a  step  ;  and  I  cannot  help  indulging  san- 
guine hopes  that  a  very  short  time  will  restore  Capt. 
Bainbridge  and  his  unfortunate  comrades  to  freedom 
and  their  country.  It  would  be  needless  for  me  to 
say  any  thing  on  the  effect  which  this  measure  must 
needs  have  on  your  situation  and  determinations : 
it  is  a  measure  which  was  anticipated  in  my  letter  to 
you  by  Capt.  Hull,  and  as  such  the  intelligence  of  it 
wi)l  not  I  presume  reach  you  unprepared.  The  in- 
terests of  Sidi  Hamet  will  not  be  overlooked  :  it  is 
with  Col.  Lear's  express  sanction  that  I  mention  his 
intention  to  endeavor  at  stipulating  some  conditions 
for  the  unfortunate  Exile,  provided  this  can  be  done 
without  giving  up  points  that  are  essential,  and  with- 
out any  considerable  samfice  of  national  advantage 
on  our  part. 

I  have  sent  by  Lieut.  Evans  2000  Spanish  dollars 
which  he  is  directed  to  deliver  to  you  or  to  Capt. 
Hull,  this  sum  will  serve  to  extinguish  any  little  en- 
gagements you  may  have  contracted  at  Berne. 

I  am  extremely  anxious  for  further  intelligence 
from  you  and  remain  with  much  respect  and  consid^ 
eratioUj 

SiTf  your  most  obedient 
and  humble  sei^ant, 
SAMUEL  BARRON. 


United  States  Brig,  Argus. 

Berne,  June  4^A,  1805. 

SlE, 

I  HAVE  the  honor  to  inclose  you  a 
copy  of  my  orders  by  the  Hornet,  Lieut.  Evans, 
from  Samuel  Barron,  Esq.  C^ommanderin  chief  of  the 
United  States  Squadron  in  the  Mediterranean,  by 
which  vou  will  be  informed  that  the  United  States' 
vessels  under  my  command  are  to  leave  this  coast  for 
Syracuse  as  soon  as  the  necessary  arrangements  can 
be  made  for  that  purpose. 


GEN.    EAT'ON.  375 

I  have  therefore  to  inform  you  that  the  Argus  and 
Hornet  are  ready  for  sea  and  in  readiness  to  receive 
you  and  the  men  under  your  command  on  board  at 
any  moment  that  you  inform  me  of  your  intentions  to 
abandon  your  post,  and  a  favorable  opportunity  of- 
fers to  take  you  off. 

/  am  Sirp  as  always^ 
yours  sincerely, 
ISAAC  HULL:; 
William  Eaton,  Esq. 


Derne,  June  dth,  1805. 
Sir, 

I  THINK  the  tenure  of  this  post  so  im- 
portant to  the  issue  of  the  negociation  now  pending 
between  the  United  States  and  the  reigning  Bashaw 
of  Tripoli,  that  I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  a  sense  of  du- 
ty to  evacuate  it,  except  compelled  by  imperious  cir- 
cumstances, until  the  result  of  that  negociation  be 
known,  or  further  advices  received  from'  the  Com- 
mander in  chief  of  the  United  States  Squadron  in  the 
Mediterranean.  I  shall  therefore  wait  a  reasonable 
time  for  the  return  of  the  Nautilus,  which  is  daily 
expected  from  head  quarters. 

I  am,  ^c. 
WILLIAM  EATON. 
Capt.  Isaac  Hull. 


United  States  Frigate,  Constitution, 

off  Trijjoli,  June  5th,  iS03, 
Sir, 

ALTHOUGH  I  do  not  expect  this  will 
find  you  at  Derne,  conceiving  you  have  evacuated 
that  place  agreeable  to  Commodore  Barron's  last  ad- 
vices to  yoa  by  the  United  States  sloop  Hornet,  yet 
as  it  is  not  impossible  some  unforeseen  circumstance 
may  have  delayed  your  compliance  with  his  advices, 
I  have  thought  it  advisable  to  send  the  Constellatioo^, 


376  LIFE   OF 

Capt.  H.  G.  Campbell,  to  apprize  you  of  peace  hav- 
ing been  concluded  between  the  United  States  ami 
the  Josepli  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  on  the  3d  inst.  and 
have  to  desire  that  no  farther  hostilities  by  the  forces 
of  the  United  States  be  committed  against  the  said 
Joseph  Bashaw,  his  subjects,  or  dominions,  and  that 
you  evacuate  and  withdraw  our  forces^  from  Derne, 
or  whatever  part  of  his  territory  this  may  find  you  a- 
greeable  to  the  enclosed  articles  of  stipulation  be- 
tween Tobias  Lear,  Esq.  Conskl  General  for  Algiers, 
and  Commissioner  of  peace  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  and  the  said  Joseph  Bashaw  of  Tripoli. 

I  have  the  Jionor  to  be, 
ivitli  great  respect, 

your  ohedieiit  servant, 
JOHN  RODGERS. 
Commanding,    in   chief,  the    United  States 
Squadron  in  the  Mediterranean. 
William  Eaton,  Esq.  Berne, 


To  THE  Honohahle  Secretary  of  the  Navy  of 
THE  United  States. 

At  sea,  Mediterranean,  August  Qth,  1805. 

Sir, 

I  HAVE  now  the  honor  herewith  to  for- 
ward copies  of  the  correspondences  promised  in  my 
letter  of  6th  ultimo.  A  view  of  the  transactions  and 
the  circumstances  in  which  these  correspondences  o- 
riginated,  give  rise  to  some  remarks  and  observa- 
tions which  I  shall  submit  witii  candor  and  frank- 
ness. 

When  it  was  determined  by  Commodore  Barron 
to  cooperate  with  Hamet  Bashaw,  though  the  Com- 
modore then  expressed  his  doubts  concerning  an  im- 
plied discretion  in  your  instructions  for  applications 
of  supplies  to  this  object,  no  idea  was  suggested  of 
making  this  cooperation  an  instrument  only  to   the 


GEN.    EATON.  377 

attainment  of  peace   with  the  reigning  Bashaw  of 
Tripoli  :  nothing   was  then  talked  of  but  chastise- 
ment.    The  examples  of  Commodore  Preble,  then 
recent  and  conspicuous,  inspired  the  relieving  squad- 
ron with  an  ambition  and  a  confidence,  equalled  on- 
ly by  their  patriotism  ;  insomuch  that  it  seemed  to  bs 
regretted  the  space  of  a  winter  must  intervene  before 
they  could  be  brought  to  the  theatre  of  action.     Peace  1 
was  avowedly  an  object  secondary  to  national  honor 
and  individual  applause  :  of  course  every  measure 
was  adopted  and  every  mean  embraced,  which  seam- 
ed to  favor  those  primary  objects  ;  and  the  earliest 
occasion  of  the  ensuing  season  was  to  give  an  impos- 
ing lesson  to  the   furtive  pride  of  Barbary.     With 
these  impressions  Commodore  Preble  returned  home 
under  engagements  with  his  successor  to  give  his  in- 
fluence  with  the  government  for  hastening   forward 
such   additional  aids  as  the  expedition  would  re- 
quire ;  and  with  the  same  impressions  I  was  sent  to 
Egypt,    with  entire   discretion   of  using   means  to 
bring   Hamet   Bashaw   on  the  rear  of  the   enemy. 
Commodore  Preble  executed   his  commission  with 
the  exactness  and  dispatch  which  mark  his  charac- 
ter ;  and  I  have  the  consciousness  of  not   having 
been  indolent  in  my  endeavors  to  acquit  myself  of  the 
trust  confided  to  me.     Both  from  one  quarter  and  the 
other,  measures  succeeded  beyond  the  calculation  of 
the  most   sanguine   expectation.     And  never  did  a 
season  for  decisive  operations  open  with  more  flatter- 
ing prospects   of  success  than  this  in  which  it  has 
been  determined  that  a  flag  of  truce,  instead  of  our 
squadron,  should  be  displayed  to  the  enemy's  view. 
The   result  is  well  known — but  it  is  so  foreign  to 
what  we  calculated  here — and  to  what,  it  is  believ- 
ed, was  expected  by  the  government  and  people  of 
the  United  States  that  apologies  are  sought  to  parry 
the   censure   and   do  away   the  disappointment  to 
whicii  this   result  cannot  but  give  birth.     Among 
these   subterfuges  I  am  charged  of  having  gone  too 
far — of  having  exceeded,  the  intentions  ofgovern- 

48 


LIFE    OF 

ment — and  of  having  shaped  to  myself  projects  the 
end  of  which  could  not  be  foreseen. 

If  finding  out  the  object  of  my  researches  and  mov- 
ing understandingly  with  him  against  the  enemy  be 
to  exceed  the  intentions  of  government,  1  may  have 
gone  too  far.  Admitting  this,  I  have  not  penetration 
enough  to  comprehend  how  it  could  have  obstructed 
offensive  operations  in  other  quarters.  As  to  projects 
none  were  new  shaped,  on  my  part,  after  I  left  head 
quarters  :  but  at  what  period  the  project  took  shape 
of  resting  the  whole  expectations  of  our  country  on 
the  instrumentality  of  the  hapless  Hamct  Bashaw  for 
the  attainment  of  peace,  I  know  not ;  presume,  how- 
ever, it  was  not  till  Commodore  Barron  dispaired  of 
recovering  his  health  in  season  for  activity,  and  not 
ontil  a  man,  who  had  no  authorized  agency  in  the 
war,  had  intruded  himself  into  his  confidence  and 
gained  an  ascendency  over  his  resolutions.  The 
line  of  conduct  pursued  at  head  quarters,  and  the 
communications  from  that  quarter  to  the  coast,  estab- 
lisli  the  fact  that  such  a  project  had  superceded  our 
original  plans  ;  and  the  event  proves  it  to  have  been 
carried  into  effect. 

In  the  Commodore's  letter  to  Haraet  Bashaw  dat- 
ed Malta,  Slst  March,  he  expresses  himself — 

"  With  great  satisfaction  I  have  received  from 
Mr.  Eaton  the  intelligence  of  your  junction  with 
him,  and  of  the  measures  you  had  adopted  to  com- 
mence your  march  towards  Derne."'  kc. 

"  No  sooner  did  I  receive  this  intelligence  than  I 
made  every  exertion  to  collect  the  succors  required 
in  your  letter.''  &c. — 

Here  is  not  only  an  explicit  and  clear  sanction  to 
all  we  had  done,  but  also  an  unequivocal  assurance 
of  dispositions  made  on  the  part  of  the  Commodore  to 
furnish  the  succors  required  by  Hamet  Bashaw's 
letter  for  prosecuting  a  plan  of  cooperation.  But 
these  succors  were  what  the  Bashaw  had  always 
required.  If  therefore  I  should,  from  any  induce- 
ment, have  carded  a  different  language  to  him   how 


GEN.    EATON.  S7i)l 

j  ustly  might  he  have  suspected  me  of  a  disposition 
to  raise  impediments  to  his  progress  ;  and  more  espe- 
cially as  the  whole  tenor  of  the  Commodore's  letter 
goes  to  encourage  his  expectations  ?  If  the  Commo- 
dore requires  me  to  become  the  interpreter  of  this  let- 
ter,  how  inconsistent,  nay  how  treacherr>us  would  he 
make  himself  and  rac  appear  by  translating  also  an- 
other from  his  own  hand  clearly  expressing  his  real 
intentions  to  be  only  to  lead  the  Bashaw  forward  as 
an  instrument  !  I  could  not  but  hope  that  returning 
strength,  or  some  candid  adviser  would  restore  the 
Commodore  to  resolutions  more  worthy  of  his  own 
and  the  dignity  of  his  country. 

On  the  day  next  succeeding  the  date  of  his  letter 
from  the  same  place  the  Commodore  writes  me. 

'^  I  cannot  but  applaud  the  energy  and  persever- 
ance that  has  characterized  your  progress  through  a 
series  of  perplexing  and  discouraging  difficulties  to 
the  attainment  of  the  object  of  your  research — an  at- 
tainment which  I  am  disposed  to  consider  as  a  fair 
presage  to  future  success — " 

Success  in  what  ?  The  cooperation  !  In  w  hat 
manner  ?  This  is  explained  by  the  Commodore's  re- 
iterated  resolution  to  withhold  his  sanction  from  any 
specific  or  definite  engagement  with  Hamet  Bashaw, 
and  by  his  unqualified  confession  of  our  views  i^ 
favoring  the  cause  of  the  exiled  Prince  as  an  in- 
strument only  to  the  attainment  of  an  object  ;  that  this 
object  is  a  separate  peace  Avith  his  rival ;  and  tliat, 
this  object  obtauied,  we  would  withdraw  from  him 
our  succor. — 

Struck  himself  with  the  discouraging  and  dishon- 
orable conditions  here  imposed  ef  w  hat  he  calls  a  co- 
operation,  he  adds  by  way  of  injunction — 

'•  You  will  not  however  conclude  that  these  con- 
siderations,  important  and  necessary  as  they  are, 
ought  to  induce  us  at  once  to  abandon  the  benefits 
whicli  the  measures  you  have  adopted  seem  to  prom- 
ise.'' &c. 


380  LIFE   OF 

Benefits  v^ere  already  anticipated  from  the  meas- 
ures  we  had  thus  far  pursued  ;  and  the  plain  con- 
struction of  this  and  the  following  periods  of  the 
sam?.  letter  enjoins  it  on  me  to  persevere  in  those 
measures  ;  aud  by  way  of  encouragement,  the  Com- 
modore pledges  himself  to  give  us  the  most  active 
and  vigorous  support fro7ii  his  squadron  so  soon  as 
the  season  and  arrangements  would  permit  him  to 
appear  in  force  before  the  enemy^s  walls — and,  in 
case  of  our  successful  progress,  to  give  the  Bashaw 
^'  Every  support  by  a  systematic  union  of  operations 
so  as  to  enable  him  to  come  on  the  rear  of  the  ene- 
my— " 

We  did  persevere — and  our  success,  considering 
the  obstacles  we  had  to  encounter  and  the  means  af- 
forded to  overcome  them,  exceeded  our  calculations. 
What  then  became  of  the  most  active  and  vigorous 
support  of  the  squadron  ;  and  systematic  union  of 
operations  P  The  instant  the  eff'ect  of  our  success- 
es discovered  itself,  through  the  alarmed  solicitude 
of  the  enemy,  a  messenger  of  peace  is  stnt  to  meet 
the  overtures  of  the  panic  struck  Joseph  Bashaw, 
and  to  bid  him  be  under  no  apprehensions  ;  while 
our  too  credulous  ally  is  sacrificed  to  a  policy  at  the 
recollection  of  which  honor  recoils  and  humanity 
bleeds. 

"  I  am"  says  the  Commodore  ''  too  unwell  to 
write  with  my  own  hand".  It  was  needless  for  him 
to  add  this  ;  it  was  easily  perceivable  by  tlie  drift 
and  composition  of  the  communication  :  there  is  no 
feature  of  Barron's  manly  soul  to  be  traced  in  it. 
It  is  the  work  of  a  Machiavelian  commissioner,  into 
whose  influence  the  Commodore  had  vielded  his 
mind  through  the  infirmity  of  bodily  weakness.  It 
is  a  well  known  fact,  that  at  this  period,  he  had  been 
nearly  six  months  unable  to  remain  on  shipboard, 
and  so  debilitated  by  a  painful  and  wasting  illness, 
that  he  scarcely  retained  the  remembrance  of  occur- 
rences from  day  to  day.  This  commissioner,  in  or- 
der to  take  advantage  of  that  circumstance,  affected 
to  be  averse  to  peace,  and  an  advocate  for  excmpla 


GEN.    EATOX.  S81 

ry  measures.  The  sequel  will  show  a  specimen  of 
his  sincerity.  It  is  ouly  proper  to  observe  here, 
that  though  the  instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
navy  left  an  pntire  discretion  in  the  Commodore, 
concerning  the  cooperation  in  view,  Mr.  Lear  con- 
firmed him  in  his  doubts,  that  the  discretion  to  act 
and  to  apply  the  means  of  acting  were  distinct ;  and 
that  the  sum  appropriated  to  this  object  was  limited 
to  S  20,000 — Evidence,  nevertheless,  that  govern- 
ment had  calculated  upon  it. 

On  the  S3d  March,  the  Commodore,  in  his  instruc- 
tions to  Capt.  Hull,  states, 

*^  As  you  will  perceive  by  my  letter  to  Mr.  Ea- 
ton, I  have  left  the  application  of  these  succors  and 
consequently  the  responsibility  wholly  to  him,  which 
I  conceive  proper,  as  well  on  account  of  his  having 
the  chief  direction  of  the  land  operations,  as  that  by 
the  time  you  arrive  on  the  coast  he  Avill  have  it  in 
his  power  to  form  a  just  estimate  of  the  chances  of 
success,  and  thence  how  far  it  is  safe  and  expedient 
to  pursue  the  object." 

I  revert  to  this  clause  in  the  Commodore's  instruc- 
tion to  Capt.  Hull,  to  corroborate  what  my  former 
communications  stated — that  an  understanding  sub- 
sisted between  the  commander  in  chief  and  myself, 
that  I  should  go  forward  and  exercise  discretionary 
measures  for  bringing  Haraet  Bashaw  forward  with 
all  his  influence  in  order  to  intercept  supplies  to  the 
enemy  from  the  country,  and  to  cut  off  his  escape  in 
the  rear.  Mr.  Lear  has  misrepresented  this  fact  at 
Malta,  and  elsewhere. 

Though  the  communications  which  came  forward 
from  the  Commodore  by  Capt.  Hull,  and  which  were 
delivered  me  at  Bomba,  were  extremely  discourag- 
ing, I  could  find  nothing  in  them  which  would  justify 
an  abandonment,  on  my  part,  of  the  expedition  thus 
far  conducted.  But  after  we  had  gained  possession 
of  Berne,  and  still  more  so  after  having  beaten  the 
enemy's  army  in  that  province  and  opened  our  way 
to  the  gates  of  Tripoli,  I  could  not  but  liope  the  Copi- 


38S  '  LIPE^OF 

niodore  would  take  coufidence  from  those  successes' 
and  be  animated  to  push  bis  operations  by  a  system- 
atic union.     What  then  ought  to  have  been  my  as- 
tonishment to  receive,  on  the  1st  June,  his  letter  of 
19th  May,  containing  the  following  periods. 

''  If  the  Bashaw,  after  having  been  put  in  posses- 
sion of  Derne,  his  former  government  and  the  district 
in  which  his  interest  is  said  to  be  most  powerful,  has 
not  in  himself  energy  and  talent,  and  is  so  destitute 
of  means  and  resources  as  not  to  be  able  to  move  on 
with  successful  progress,  seconded  by  our  naval  force 
acting  on  the  coast,  he  must  be  held  unworthy  of 
further  support,  and  the  cooperation  as  a  measure  too 
expensive  and  too  little  pregnant  with  hope  and  ad- 
vantage to  justify  its  further  prosecution.'^ 

"  In  short.  Sir,  the  matter  reduces  itself  to  this. 
We  are  ready  and  willing  to  support  the  Bashaw  by 
an  union  of  operations  on  the  coast  so  long  as  the 
war  with  Tripoli  continues,  but  his  Excellency  must 
be  explicitly  informed  that  our  supplies  of  money, 
arms,  and  provision  are  at  an  end,  and  that  he  must 
now  depend  on  his  own  resources  and  exertions." 

^^  In  consequence  of  recent  advices  from  Tripoli,  I 
have  thought  it  my  duty  to  state  to  the  Consul  Gen- 
eral, Col.  Lear,  (now  at  this  place)  my  candid  opinion 
that  the  present  is  a  moment  highly  favorable  to  treat 
of  peace  ;  and  a  communication  has  just  been  hand- 
ed me  from  that  gentleman  expressing  his  determina- 
tion to  meet  the  overtures  of  the  reiguing  Bashaw,  so 
far  as  to  found  on  it  the  commencement  of  a  negoeia- 
tion,  and  to  proceed  to  Tripoli  in  the  Essex  frigate 
in  the  course  of  the  W^ek.  From  a  variety  of  con- 
curring circumstances  the  present  period  appears 
propitious  to  such  a  step.'' 

This  letter  labors  ingeniously  to  find  some  pretext 
for  deserting  Hamet  Bashaw  at  the  very  moment  we 
profit  of  liis  operations  and  his  influence  to  secure 
peace  to  ourselves. — But  the  ingenuity  of  the  piece 
is  not  sufficient  to  disguise  the  hypocricy  of  the  de- 
sign— We  are  still  to  amuse  the  Exile  with  an  idea  of 


GEX.    EATON.  383 

cooperation  and  union  of  operation  on   the  coast  at 
the  very  moment  that  a  pending  negociation  necessa- 
rily suspends  all  hostile  operations  on  the  part  of  our 
commander  in  chief. — But  this  was  a  moment  highly 
favorable  to  treat  of  peace.     What   rendered  it  so  ? 
At  the  period  this  candid  opinion  is  expressed  by  the 
Commodore  he  had  not  seen  Tripoli  during  the  last 
eight  months,  nor  ever* within  gun  shot ;  some  of  his 
frigates  had  not  ever  been  nearer  it  than  Malta ;  sel- 
dom if  ever  more  than  two  of  them  cruising  off  the 
port  and  generally  not  but  one  ;  his  squadron  had 
never  been  displayed  to  the  enemy's  view  ;  nor  a 
shot  exchanged  with  the  batteries  of  Tripoli  since 
Commodore  Preble  left  the  coast,  except  enpassant  : 
and,  what  is  a  truth  equally  demonstrable,  no  visible 
preparations  were  making  at  head  quarters  for  the 
investment  the  ensuing  summer  which  could  give  the 
enemy  any  uneasiness.     The  Commodore,  I  am  sen- 
sible, was  too  much  an  invalid  to  take  an  active  part 
in  an  expedition.     But  was  he  so  destitute  of  energy 
of  mind  as  to  be  incapable  of  directing  its  opera- 
tions ?  and  had  he   no    commander  in  the  fleet  to 
whom  he  could  confide  the  conduct  of  an  expectation 
under  his  own  direction  ?  If  destitute  of  those  capac- 
ities himself,   his  counsellers  possessed  them — and 
it  Avould  have  cost  them  no  more  exercise  of  mind 
to  encourage  them  to  derange  plans. 

But  the  theatre  of  the  war  was  transferred  to  the 
eastern  provinces.  Why  not  then  support  us  there 
with  the  means  of  subsistence  and  detachments  of 
marines  ?  All  that  was  now  necessary  was  to  sup- 
port us  and  show  himself.  The  idea  of  this  step 
surpassing  his  authority  is  ridiculous,  and  could  not 
have  originated  with  him — Wit  at  !  A  commander  in 
chief  without  authority  to  make  discretional  disposi- 
tions of  his  forces  and  the  means  of  subsisting  them  ? 
It  is  objected  tliat  the  services  of  the  oncers  were  all 
to  be  called  for  on  board  their  respective  ships  as 
soon  as  offensive  measures  icere  entered  upon.  In 
a  bombardment  or  a  cruise,   marines  are'  of  little 


384  LIFE   OF 

more  use  in  a  man  of  war  than  cavalry  or  pioneers  ; 
and  while  the  vessels  are  lading  in  port  they  are  us- 
ed only  as  badges  of  rank  and  machines  of  ceremo- 
ny. Why  not  send  them  where  they  could  be  use- 
ful, at  least  till  offensive  measures  icere  entered  up- 
on P  Gentlemen  of  that  corps,  I  am  well  assured,  ac- 
tuated, like  their  brethren  of  the  navy,  by  a  manly 
zeal  to  distinguish  themselves/  Avere  ready  to  volun- 
teer in  the  expedition — And  it  did  not  require  a 
greater  latitude  of  discretion  to  indulge  them  the  per- 
mission  to  fight  at  Derne  tlian  to  furlough  them  on 
parties  of  pleasure  at  Catania  :  and  they  might  have 
been  subsisted  cheaper  on  the  coast  than  at  any  port 
in  Italy.  But  we  were  compelled  to  sacrifice  forty 
five  days  at  that  post,  fixed,  within  an  hour's  march 
of  the  main  force  of  the  enemy  without  the  power  of 
attacking  them  with  any  reasonable  prospect  of  suc- 
cess ;  and  only  for  the  want  of  SOO  bayonets  !  would 
such  a  detachment  have  defeated  the  great  operations 
carrying  on  by  the  squadron  ? 

When  peace  was  finally  resolved  upon,  what  were 
the  provisions  made  for  the  brave  men  who  had 
fought  our  battles  in  the  enemy's  country,  and  who  had 
contributed  in  rendering  this  moment  propitious  to 
such  an  event  P — Supplies,  indeed,  are  sent  out  for 
the  Christians  under  my  command  ;  but  the  alterna- 
tive left  me  to  perish  with  the  Mahometans  under 
my  command  or  desert  them  to  their  solitary  fate  and 
abandon  my  post  like  a  coward  ! 

This  is  the  first  instance  I  ever  heard  of  a  relig- 
ious test  being  required  to  entitle  a  soldier  to  his  ra- 
tions ;  and  the  only  one  of  an  ally  being  devoted  to 
destruction  with  so  little  necessity  and  with  so  much 
cool  blood.  Is  all  this  to  be  ascribed  to  the  debili- 
tated state  of  the  Commodore's  system  ?  I  am  per- 
suaded it  is.  And  for  this  reason  I  cannot  but  feel 
that  the  persons  near  him,  w  ho  dictated  his  measures 
as  well  as  his  stile  (he  says  in  th?s  letter  also  he  can- 
not write  himself)  are  deeply  reprehensible  for  adopt- 
ing pacific  measures  so  prematurely,  under  circum- 


f5EN.    EATON.  385 

Stances  so  favorable  to  coercion  and  on  condi- 
tions so  dissonant  to  the  general  tone  of  our  f-rovern- 
meni  and  country. — They  ought  at  least  to  have  isus- 
pended  those  measures  until  advices,  which  would  nat- 
urally be  expected  after  the  return  and  representations 
of  Commodore  Preble,  from  the  head  of  t))e  Depart- 
ment. The  season  for  naval  operations  had  hardly 
opened,  and  the  delay  of  two  or  three  months  could 
work  no  probable  disadvantages  in  our  affairs,  even 
should  no  advice  have  come  forward — But,  as  pro- 
visions mere  made  at  home,  had  the  subject  been 
considered  with  due  influence  over  measures,  we 
might  with  great  certainty  have  calculated  on  taking 
possession  of  Tripoli  and  of  the  enemy's  person. — In- 
deed, T  do  firmly  believe  we  might  have  done  it  with 
the  means  we  did  originally  possess,  had  those  means 
been  propei*ly  directed  into  action  ;  and  this  without 
aFiy  considerable  sacrifice  on  our  part. — Some  lives 
might,  and  probably  would  liave  been  lost ;  but  when 
a  man  accepts  a  sword  and  })ears  on  his  shoulders 
badges  of  the  co?ifidence  of  his  country  he  ought 
no  longer  to  calculate  on  dying  in  a  feather  bed. 

After  our  commissioner  had  arrived  at  Tripoli 
and  had  opened  a  communication  with  Joseph  Bash- 
aw, (he  command  of  the  squadron  being  transfer- 
red to  Captain  Rodgers,  some  disagreement  occurred 
which  broke  off  the  intercourse.  At  this  crisis  Cap- 
tain Dent  arrived  off  Tripoli,  being  dispatched  by 
the  late  Commodore,  with  information  to  the  acting 
Commodore  of  the  reinforcement  of  gun  boats  an(i 
bom])  ketclies  bavins:  arrived  in  the  Mediterranean 
from  the  United  States  ;  and  with  my  letter  of  i5ih 
May  stating  our  success  against  the  enemy's  army 
iti  the  eastern  provitice.  Captain  Bent  was  also  au- 
thorized to  assure  the  commodore  of  my  determina- 
tion to  hold  our  position  at  Dernc  until  something  def- 
inite should  be  decided  in  our  affairs.  Here  tlien  was 
a  fair  opportunity  for  the  acting  Commodore  Rodg- 
ers  to  have  distinguished  himself;  to  have  set  au 
example  to  all  tributary  nations  by  chastising  the  te- 

49 


386  LIFE    OF 

merity  of  a  Barbaiy  pirate  ;  and  to  Lave  rendered  a 
most  important  service  to  liis  country.  Why  he  did 
not  profit  of  the  occasion  can  only  be  accounted  for 
by  presuming  that  he  was  discouraged  by  tlie  com- 
missioner of  peace^  and  by  him  led  under  the  impres- 
sion that  it  became  his  duty  to  govern  himself  by  tlic 
posthumous  opinions  of  liis  predecessor — knowing  as 
every  one  does,  the  patriotism^  personal  energy  and 
laudahle  ambition  of  Captain  Rodgers,  it  would  be 
tliilicult  to  conceive  any  othei-  reason  for  his  not  seiz- 
ing so  great  an  occasion  to  have  done  a  signal  honor 
to  his  ilag  and  to  have  immortalized  himself. 

1  am,  indeed,  at  loss  for  reasons  why  Mr.  Lear  a- 
bandoncd  these  high  grounds  after  having  affected  so 
much  engagedness  for  exemplary  measures.  But 
the  negociation  was  resumed  and  ])&iice,  jJurchased  / 
And  on  the  6tli  June  this  commissioner  states  to  me 
official  information  of  the  transaction. 

^'  The  Bashaw's  demands'^  says  he,  ••  were 
:^00,000  dollars  for  peace  and  ransom,  &c. — which 
terms  were  at  once  rejected  in  toto  :'' — and  "  after 
some  discussion''  he  adds,  ^^  1  proposed  that  a  mutu- 
al exchange  of  prisoners  should  take  place,  and  as 
he  had  a  balance  of  more  than  two  Imudrcd  in  his 
power,  I  would  give  him  60,000  dollars  for  them  ; 
but  not  a  cent  for  peace,"  &c. 

On  these  terras,  peace  was  definitively  concluded. 
But  this  statement,  adopted  in  its  liteml  seuse^  is  an 
imposition  on  the  understanding  of  the  public.  It  is, 
indeed,  literally  true  that  a  balance  of  jrrisoners  of 
war  was  in  Joseph  Bashaw's  power — but  we  had  iu 
our  power,  being  actually  in  our  possession,  the  cap- 
ital of  the  largest  province  of  his  dominions  contain- 
ing between  twelve  and  fifteen  tliousand  souls. 
Could  not  this  have  been  exciianged  for  SOO  prison- 
ers of  war  ?  Was  the  attempt  made  ?  It  is  manifest 
the  enemy  dispaired  of  recovering;  it  by  force  of  arms. 
And,  so  far  from  not  giving  a  cent  for  jjeace,  as  as- 
serted by  the  commissioner — we  gave  a  kingdom  for 
peace.     Tripoli  was  in  our  power ;  and  witli  no  vei  y 


GEN.    EATON.  38; 

extraordinary  effort  it  might  have  been  also  ^n  our 
hands.  The  enemy  felt  a  conviction  of  this,  "and 
did  not  hesitate  to  acknowledge  it  in  the  presence  of 
the  commissioner  ;  and  tlie  latter  has  since  expressed 
to  me  his  own  1)elief  in  the  feasibility  of  the  enter- 
prize  ;  but  he  advances  at  tlie  same  time  as  argu- 
ment for  concluding  the  peace  in  the  manner  he  did, 
and  with  such  prospects  before  us^  that  we  wished  to 
make  peace  with  a  man  icho  would  have  the  ability 
to  keep  it.  If  parricide,  fatricidc,  treason,  perfidy 
to  treaty  already  experienced  and  systematic  piracy 
be  characteristic  guarantees  of  good  faith,  ]V!r.  Lear 
has  chosen  the  fittest  of  the  two  brotliers  for  his  man 
of  confidence.  Their  ability  to  keep  tiie  peace  is 
less  essential  than  ou)s  to  maintain  it  :  undoubtedly 
nothing  but  terror  would  bind  either  of  them,  nor  any 
other  Barbary  chief,  to  a  faithful  observance  of  trea- 
ty stipulation.  Our  negociator  ought  however  to 
have  considered  that  Hamet  Bashaw's  was  the  pop- 
ular cause,  and  that  this  cause  is  fast  gaining  ground 
in  Barbarv.  It  was  jhe  cause  oflibertv — of  free- 
dom.  He  ouglit  to  have  considered  that  to  cede  the 
advantageous  position  we  held  could  not  but  make 
the  desire  of  peace  appear  like  too  much  of  an  ob- 
ject with  us  and  could  not  but  leave  an  impression  of 
weakness  or  want  of  spirit  on  our  character.  It 
would  l)e  hard  to  suspect  our  commissioner  of  inten- 
tional  fraud  on  the  United  States  in  his  generosity 
with  Joseph  Bashaw  ;  but  it  is  liarder  to  reconcile 
his  needless  concessions  and  prodigalities  to  I  he  test 
of  patriotism. 

Alt!iou2;li  Mr.  Lear  would  never  admit  that  our 
operations  in  the  eastern  provinces  had  any  iniiuence 
on  the  dispositions  of  the  enemy,  and  although  he 
made  it  a  condition  of  his  entering  upon  a  negocia- 
tion  that  the  Commodore  should  talte  measures  to 
compel  tlie  evacuation  of  Derr.e  ;  yet  in  a  paroxysm, 
of  candor,  he  expresses  himself  thus  in  his  letter  a- 
bove  quoted. — 


388  LIFE   OF 

^^  I  Sund  that  the  lieroic  bravery  of  our  few  coun- 
tryi-ieii  at  Derne,  and  tlie  idea  that  we  had  a  large 
fcfce  and  immense  supplies  at  that  place  had  made  a 
deep  impression  on  the  Bashaw  ;  I  kept  up  that  idea, 
and  endeavored,  from  thence  to  make  some  arrange- 
itnents  favorable  to  his  brother,  who,  althougli  not 
found  to  be  the  man  whom  many  had  supposed,  was 
yet  entitled  to  some  consideration  from  us.  But  I 
found  this  was  impracticable,  and,  if  persisted  in, 
would  drive  him  to  measures  which  might  prove  fa- 
tal to  our  countrymen  in  his  power." 

The  reasons  here  assigned  for  the  deef  impressioji 
made  on  the  Bashaw  are  not  strictly  true.  It  was  im- 
possible to  conceal  from  the  enemy  our  real  force  at 
Derne.  The  late  Governor  had  obtained  exact  in- 
formation of  it  before  he  escaped  from  his  sanctua- 
ry— and  the  enemy  themselves  reconnoitered  us  al- 
most daily.  Besides  this,  it  was  impossible  for  us 
totally  to  prevent  communications  between  the  town 
and  tlie  camp.  Is  it  probable  that  a  garrison  of  one 
liundred  Cliristians  on  the  coast,  left  totally  destitute 
ofsiipiMes,  could  of  itself  impress  such  deep  appre- 
hensions ?  For  sliame  let  (is  not  admit  this,  so  much 
the  more  humiliating  our  conditions  of  peace  !  No  ; 
it  was  a  dread  of  the  revolution,  moved  by  Hamet 
Bashaw,  being  brought  to  bis  capital  through  our 
assistance,  that  made  the  impression  on   the  enemy. 

But  the  apprehension  insinuated  by  Mr.  Lear, 
that  endeavoring  to  prolit  of  this  circumstance  in  fa- 
vor of  the  legitimate  Prince  might  prove  fatal  to  oar 
countrymen  in  his  power  betrays  ignorance,  pusilau- 
imity  or  design.  Or  if  menaces  were  used  to  im- 
press siicli  an  apprehension  it  can  hardly  be  admitted 
as  sufficient  reason  for  bartering  the  honor  of  our 
country,  and  deserting  the  interest  of  an  ally — for,  if 
lie  had  not  already  been  njadc  acquainted  with  the 
rhodovuontade  of  Joseph  Basiiaw's  character,  a  com- 
mon observance  of  tlie  operations  of  luiman  nature 
roight  have  taught  him,  tljat  man  seldom  meditates 
vengeance  when  ^lisfeoliition  glare?  him  in  the  face, 


GEN.    EATON.  389 

nor  violates  the  rights  of  nature  and  the'^laws  of  na- 
tions when  certain  destruction  awaits  him. 

In  this  case,  however,  the  experiment  h?.d  been 
fairly  tried,  and  this  bravado's  resolution  put  to  the 
test  by  Commodore  Preble.  That  Bashaw  threaten- 
ed him,  and  swore  by  the  solemnity  of  his  religion  to 
put  every  one  of  our  countrymen  to  death  who  were 
in  Tripoli  if  the  Commodore  fired  a  shot  into  his  bat- 
teries.  Did  he  put  the  threat  in  execution  ?  On  the 
contrary ;  when  ever  that  determined  commander 
approached  his  walls,  after  the  first  attack,  the  terri- 
ble Bashaw's  first  care  was  to  provide  for  his  own 
safety  ;  and  he  uniformly  took  refuge  at  his  gardens 
or  in  his  bomb  proof — and,  all  experience  has  taught 
us,  that  the  more  rouglily  he  was  handled  and  the 
nearer  danger  approached  him,  the  more  tractable  lie 
has  been  rendered. 

But  if  the  idea  of  our  large  force  and  immense  siip- 
-plies  at  Derne,  or  more  honestly  our  transactions 
with  his  brother,  made  a  deep  impression  on  the 
Bashaw,  as  it  manifestly  did,  was  tliis  the  first  in- 
stant of  the  commissioner  being  apprized  of  it  ?  If  so 
he  had  neglected  his  duty;  for  it  was  notorious  to 
every  other  American  officer  in  the  Mediterranean — 
and  he  ought  to  have  known  it  and  to  have  made  an 
honorable  use  of  it :  instead  of  wliich  he  proceeds — 

^^  I  therefore  engaged,  of  course,  that  on  the  con- 
clusion of  peace,''  (for  which  he  gave  not  a  cent  !) 
^'''  we  should  withdraw  all  our  forces  from  Derne  and 
other  parts  of  his  dominions,  and  the  Bashaw  engag- 
es, that  if  his  brother  witlidraws  himself  quietly  from 
his  dominions,  his  wife  and  family  should  be  restor- 
ed to  him." 

He  goes  further.  He  really  not  only  negociates 
Hamet  Bashaw  out  of  liis  own  territories,  but  pledg- 
es the  faith  of  the  United  States  to  carry  the  stipula- 
tion into  execution ;  and,  at  the  same  time,  secretly 
convenes  m  ith  Joseph  Bashaw  that  the  fulfilment  of 
his  en2;a2:eraent  in  tliis  article  shall  never  be  made  a 
subject  matter  of  consideration.     Was  Mr.  Lear  eenl 


390  LIFE    OF 

out  to  cooperate  Avith  Joseph  Bashaw  !  Or  is  this  a 
crisis  in  the  circumstances  of  the  United  States 
which  renders  darkness  and  duplicity  necessary  to 
our  political  safety  or  existence  ?  Is  it  possible  that 
any  thing  can  render  it  so,  in  favor  of  a  piratical 
chieftain  of  a  Barbary  garrison  whom  one  frigate 
and  a  few  tenders  had  so  often  driven  from  his  strong 
holds  ?  If  so,  it  ought  to  appear  to  justify  our  eon- 
duct  to  tlie  world. 

Our  commissioner  closes  his  communication  to 
me — 

^^  I  pray  you  will  accept  yourself,  and  present  to 
Mr.  O'Bannon,  and  our  brave  countrymen  with  you, 
my  sincere  congratulations,  on  an  event  which  your 
and  their  heroic  braverv  has  tended  to  render  so  lion- 
wable  to  our  country." 

After  having  subscribed  to  a  treaty  the  conditions 
of  which,  Jinder  the  then  existing  circumstances,  re- 
flects a  wound  on  our  national  dignity  ;  and  after 
having  seized  an  occasion  to  use  me  as  an  instrument 
to  the  attainment  of  t!iis  acquisition  as  he  seems  to 
think  it,  he  evidently  flatters  himself  he  shall  absorb 
my  just  sense  of  indignation  and  chagrin  in  a  plausi- 
ble paragraph  of  fulsome  adulation. 

Whatever  may  be  considered,  by  capacities  capa- 
ble of  judging  correctly,  the  merit  or  demerit  of  my 
cond;ict,  I  beg  you  will  entertain  a  more  favorable 
opinion  of  my  ]n'ide  than  to  suppose  I  ever  lived  a 
moment  when  I  should  have  thought  it  an  honor  to 
receive  a  military  compliment  from  the  provisionat 
Colonel  Lear — 

A  Colonel  *  *  *  ^  **-***  * 

^^  Who  never  set  a  squadron  in  the  field, 

*^  Nor  the  division  of  a  battle  knows, 

^^  More  than  a  sph.ster.'^ 

Of  one  thing  I  am  confident — If  there  ])e  any  hon- 
or or  advantage  in  the  peace,  a  share  of  the  merit 
trannot  be  refused  to  those  whose  exertions  influenced 
the  event.  If  it  has  bren  too  precipitately  concluded, 
end  all  tlie  advantages  not  secured  which  situations 


GEN.    EATON.  391 

offered,  it  was  no  I  my  fault : — It  was  my  invariable 
opinion,  and  I  invariably  endeavored  to  impress  it 
both  by  argument  and  effort,  that  the  measure  ought 
to  be  delayed  until  all  our  means  of  chastisement 
were  brought  to  bear  on  the  enemy. — But  the  instru- 
ment the  most  imposing,  that  which  the  enemy  un- 
doubtedly greatly  dreaded,  and  on  which  our  country 
had  fixed  its  chief  hope  and  reposed  its  honor,  never 
appeared  in  the  field — our  Squadron  !  And  our 
Commissioner  negociated  out  of  our  hands  a  Post  in 
the  enemy's  dominions,  next  in  population  and  con- 
sequence to  his  capital,  without   any  equivalent 

WHATEVER. 

Thus,  though  it  was  our  business,  and  though  we 
had  most  amply  the  means  to  dismantle  the  enemy  ; 
instead  of  this,  we  have  established  him  in  a  more 
safe  situation  to  do  us  and  mankind  mischief,  tlian 
he  possessed  before  the  war  :  or  than  he  could  have 
possessed  without  the  war  ;  for,  by  expelling  his  ri- 
val, we  have  relieved  him  of  his  most  dangerous  ad- 
versary. He  has  gained  a  kingdom — what  have  we 
gained  by  the  war  ! 

However  the  Peace  may  be  received  by  the  Gov- 
ernment and  people  of  the  United  States,  here  arc 
circumstances  in  which  both  our  interest  and  our 
lionor  are  so  deeply  involved  that  tliey  cannot  but  in^ 
duce  an  enquiry. 

I  have  the  honor  to  he^ 
very  r especf fully, 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  servant^ 
WILLIAM  EATON. 


89S  LIFE    OF 


P.  S.  LIST  of  the  naval  force  which  might  have 
been  employed  before  Tripoli  by  the  middle  of  July^ 
actually  at  the  rendezvous  at  Syracuse  the  fourth  ana 
eleventh. 


FRIGATES. 

1  President, 

44  guns 

2  Constitution, 

44 

3  Congress, 

36 

4  Constellation, 

36 

5  Essex, 

32 

6  John  Adams, 

32 

BRIGS. 

1  Argus, 

18 

2  Syren, 

18 

3  Vixen, 

14 

4  Franklin, 

8 

SCHOONERS. 

•       i'- 

1  Enterprize, 

14 

2  Nautilus, 

14        /, 

SLOOP. 

1  Hornet,  8 


Carrying  in  all  318  guns  and 
mortars. 
Gun  Boats  and  ketches  from  the  United  States. 
No.  1  not  sailed. 
Nos.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6. 
7  not  arrived. 
Nos.  8,  9. 

Gun  Boats  from  Tripoli,  2 

Gun  Boats  from  the  Adriatic.         6 
Total  number  of  guns,  including  33  belonging  to 

the  gun  boats,  351. 
Commodore  Preble  attacked  Tripoli  successfully 
with  less  than  one  third  this  force  :  and  with  no  col- 
lateral circumstances  in  his  favor. 


QEN.    EATON.  093 

GrEN.  Eaton  left  Syracuse  Aug.  6th,  touched  at 
Malta,  Tunis,  Gibraltar  and  Madeira,  and  arrived 
at  Hampton  Roads,  in  the  Chesapeake,  in  Novem- 
ber. On  his  way  to  Washington  he  spent  several 
days  at  Richmond,  where  he  was  highly  honored 
by  the  Citizens  ;  and  partook  of  a  sumptuous  public 
entertainment,  provided  to  show  him  respect. 

On  his  arrival  at  the  seat  of  government  he  was  a- 
gain  honored  with  a  public  dinner.  The  President, 
in  his  Message  to  Congress,  made  honorable  men- 
tion of  his  merit  and  services.  Throughout  the  U- 
nited  States  his  name  stood  exalted  :  never  perhaps 
before  did  that  of  any  individual  rise  so  rapidly 
and  to  such  an  atitude.  He  was  considered  as  , 
having,  by  his  prowess  and  enterprise,  compelled  ; 
the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli  to  make  peace  :  while  the- 
the  general  sentiment  entertained  was,  that,  had  not 
Lear  thus  hastily  made  a  treaty,  he  must,  if  proper- 
ly sustained  by  the  naval  force  then  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, in  a  short  time  have  been  master  of  the  king- 
dom of  Tripoli,  and  have  been  enabled  to  make  his 
own  terms  of  peace,  as  well  as  to  have  settled  our 
concerns  on  the  Barbary  coast,  so  as  to  prevent  here- 
after the  necessity  of  tribute. 

Being  unreserved  in  the  expression  of  his  senti- 
mants  with  regard  to  Lear,  who,  from  some  cause, 
was  determinedly  upheld  by  the  administration,  he 
unwittingly  created  enemies.  In  the  social  circles 
at  Wasiiington  he  was  not  at  all  times  guarded  in 
his  regimen  ;  and  when  occasionally  lieated  by  those 
excesses  which  afterwards  became  almost  habitual, 
ills  egotism,  raslmess  and  authorative  manners,  excit- 
ed disgust  in  the  minds  of  many. 

In  December  he  paid  a  visit  to  his  family  in  Brim- 
field.  On  bis  way,  in  Philadelphia  and  elsewhere, 
he  Avas  treated  vvith  great  attention  and  respect,  by 
invitations  to  public  dinners  and  other  expressions 
of  esteem.     He  soon  after  returned  to  Washington. 

A  resolution  was  brought  forward  in  the  House  of 
Kcpresentativcs  of  the   United  States  for  presenting 

50^ 


394  LIFE   OF 

him  with  a  medal,  in  testimony  of  his  enterprise, 
courage  and  signal  services.  This  resolution  was 
debated  with  no  inconsiderable  warmth.  The 
principal  speakers  in  opposition  to  its  passage  were 
the  celebmted  Mr.  J.  Randolph  and  Mr.  J.  Clay  of 
Pennsylvania.  These  gentlemen  represented  the 
whole  proceedings  of  Eaton,  and  his  engagement 
at  Derne,  as  a  trivial  occurrence,  unworthy  the  pub- 
lie  expression  of  thanks  by  the  House.  A  small 
majority  were  opposed  to  the  adoption  of  the  resolu- 
tion ;  whi«h  was  postponed  from  time  to  time,  but 
never  passed. 

In  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts  he  received  a 
treatment  very  different  from  that  received  in  the  na- 
tional legislature.  With  a  liberality  higlily  honora- 
ble to  that  State,  its  legislature  passed  the  following 
Hesolve. 

COMMONW^EALTII    OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 

In  Senate,  Feb.  25th,  1806, 

WHEREAS  in  a  rising  Republic,  it 
is  highly  important  to  cherish  that  patriotism  which 
conquers  a  love  of  ease,  of  pleasure  and  of  wealth, 
which  prompts  individuals  to  a  love  of  their  country, 
and  induces  them  to  embrace  every  opportunity  to 
advance  its  prosperity  and  happiness,  as  welJ  by  a- 
meliorating  the  fate  of  those  citizens  who aa  the  for- 
tune of  war  has  thrown  into  captivity,  as  by  cheerfully 
contributing  to  its  support  and  defence  :  And  where- 
as the  love  of  enterprise,  when  guided  by  ii  just  sense 
of  propriety  and  benevolence,  may  become  the  par- 
ent of  many  virtues,  and  a  state  is  sometimes  in- 
debted for  its  safety,  to  the  virtues  and  undaunted 
courage  of  a  single  man. 

And  whereas  the  Senate  and  Houso  of  Represen- 
tatives of  this  Commonwealth,  are  desiroiis  to  perpet- 
uate a  remembrance  of  the  lieroic  enterprise  of  Wn>- 
LiAM  Eaton,  Esq.  while  engaged  inthe  service  of  tlie 


GEN.    EATON.  395 

United  States,  whose  undaunted  courage  and  brilliant 
services,  so  eminently  contributed  to  release  a  large 
number  of  his  fellow  citizens,  late  prisoners  in  Trip- 
oli, from  the  chains  of  slavery^  and  to  restore  them 
to  freedom,  their  country,  and  their  friends  ; — there- 
fore 

RESOLVED,  that  the  Committee  for  the  sale  of 
eastern  lands  be,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  and 
directed,  to  convey  to  William  Eatox,  Esq.  a  citi- 
zen of  this  Commonwealth,  and  to  his  heirs  and  as- 
signs, a  tract  of  land  to  contain  ten  thousand  acres, 
of  any  of  the  unappropriated  land  of  this  Common- 
wealth, in  the  District  of  Maine  ;  excepting  the  ten 
townships  on  Penobscot  river. 

And  be  it  further  resolved,  that  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  be  requested,  as  soon  as  conveniently  may 
fee,  to  cause  to  be  transmitted  to  the  said  William 
Eaton,  Esq.  an  authentic  copy  of  this  resolution. 

Sent  down  for  concurrence^ 

H.  G.  OTIS,  President 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  March  3rf,  1806. 

Read  and  concurred, 

TIMOTHY  BIGELOW,  SpeaTcer. 

March  ^th,  1806. 

s^lpproved,  CALEU  STRONG. 

True  Copy,  Attest, 

John  Avery,  Secretary. 

His  accounts,  for  many  years  standing,  with  the 
United  States,  were  unsettled.  Several  important  i- 
tems  were  considered  by  the  Department  of  State 
as  improper  for  any  other  adjudication  than  that  of 
Congress.  These  accounts  w«re  before  the  commit- 
tee of  claims  daring  the  v/hole  sesgion,  but  were  not 


390  LIFE    OF 

adjusted  before  its  close.  In  the  spring  he  returned 
to  Brimfield,  where  he  spent  the  summer  in  visiting 
his  friends  and  improving  a  large  farm. 

At  the  next  session  of  Congress,  1806-7,  (ten. 
Eaton  returned  to  the  seat  of  government,  princi- 
pally for  the  purpose  of  adjusting^  his  accounts. 
The  conspiracy  of  Aaron  Burr  had  excited  great  at- 
tention and  considerable  alarm  throughout  the  union. 
\^ilkiuson^  who,  from  the  best  testimony  appears  to 
have  been  originally  concerned  with  Burr,  but  liad 
found  it  safe  and  prudent  to  deny  the  connexion  and 
become  an  outrageous  patriot,  had  arrested  several 
persons  in  the  territory  of  Orleans,  denying  them  the 
privilege  of  the  Habeas  Corpus,  and  had  ordered 
them  transported  by  water  to  the  district  of  Co- 
lumbia. Swartwout  and  Boll  man,  two  of  the  per- 
sons arrested  by  Wilkinson,  arrived  at  Washington 
in  January,  I8O7. 

At  the  instig^rtion  of  the  Executive  of  the  United 
States,  a  motion  was  made  by  the  United  States 
district  Attorney,  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  fnr  a  warrant, directing  the  Marshall  of 
the  district  to  take  the  pris(mers  from  the  hands  of  the 
military,  that  they  might  be  delivered  to  the  civil  au- 
thority. As  no  specific  charge  was  made  in  the  dep- 
osition of  Wilkin&on,  some  hesitation  arose  with  the 
Court  from  the  want  of  a  specific  oifence  with  which 
to  charge  the  prisoners.  To  obtain  sucli  charge,  the 
deposition  of  Gen.  Eaton  was  demanded  ;  which 
was  given  in  the  following  manner. 

'^  Early  last  winter,  Col.  Aaron  Burr,  late  Vice 
President  of  the  United  States,  signified  to  me,  at 
this  place,  that  under  the  authority  of  the  general 
government,  he  w  as  organizing  a  secret  expedition 
against  the  Spanish  provinces  on  our  south  western 
borders  ;  which  expedition  he  was  to  lead,  and  in 
which  he  was  authorized  to  invite  me  to  take  the 
command  of  a  division.  I  had  never  before  been 
made  personally  acquainted  with  Col.  Burr  ;  and, 
having  for  many  years  been  employed  in  foreign  ser- 


geS'.  eatox.  397 

vice,  I  knew  but  little  about  the  estimation  this  gen- 
tleman now  held  in  the  opinion  of  his  countrymen 
and   his   government  :  the   rank  and   confidence  by 
which  he  had  so  lately  been  distinguished,  left  me 
no  right  to  suspect   his  patriotism.     I   knew  him  a 
soldier.     In  case  of  Avar   with  tlie  ^Spanish   nation, 
which  from  the  tenor  of  the  President's  message  to 
both  houses  of  Congress  seemed  probable,  I  should 
have  thought  it  my  duty  to  obey  so  honorable  a  call 
of  my   country  ;  and,  under   that  impression,  I  did 
engage  to  embark  in  the  expedition.     I  had  frequent' 
interviews  with  Col.    Burr  in   this  city — and  for  a 
considerable  time  his  object  seemed  to  be  to  instruct 
me,  by  maps,  and  other  information,  in  the  feasibili- 
ty of  penetratiiig  to  Mexico — always  carrying  for- 
ward the  idea  that  the  measure  was  authorized  by 
government.     At  length,  some  lime  in  February,  he 
began  by  degrees  to  unveil  himself.     He  reproached 
the   government   with  Avant   of  character,  want  of 
gratitude,  and  want  of  justice.     He  seemed  desirous 
of  irritating  resentment,  in  my  breast  J)y  dilating  cer- 
tain injuries  he  felt  I  had  suffered   from   reflections 
made  on  the  floor  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
concerning  my  operations  in  Barbary,  and  from  the 
delays  of  government  in  adjusting  my  claims  for  dis- 
bursements on  that  coast  during  my  consular  agency 
at  Tunis  ;  and  he   said   he  would   point  me  to  an 
honorable   mode  of  indemnity.     I  now^  began  to  en- 
tertain a  suspicion  that  Mr.  Burr  was  projecting  an 
unauthorized  military  expedition  ;  which  to  me  was 
enveloped  in  mystery  ;  and,  desirous  to  draw  an  ex- 
planation from  him,  I  sulfered  him  to  suppose  me  re- 
signed to  his  counsel.     He  now  laid  open   his  proj- 
ect of  revolutionising  the  western  country,  separating 
it  from  the  Union,  establishing  a  monarchy  there,  of 
which  he  was  to  be  the  sovereign,  Nejv  Orleans  to 
be  his  capital ;  organizing  a  force  on  the  Missisippi, 
and   extending  conquest  to   Mexico.     I  suggested  a 
number  of  impediments  to  his  scheme — such  as  the 
republican  habits  of  the  citizens  of  thai  country^  and 


398  Li>£  01 

their  affection  towards  our  present  administration  of 
government :  the  want  of  funds  ;  the  resistance  he 
would  meet  from  the  regular  army  of  the  United 
States  on  those  frontiers  ;  and  the  opposition  of  Mi- 
randa in  case  he  should  succeed  to  republicanise  the 
Mexicans. 

Mr.  Burr  found  no  difficulty  in  removing  these  ob- 
stacles— he  said  he  had,  the  preceding  season,  made 
a  tour  through  that  country,  and  had  secured  the  at- 
tachment of  the  principal  citizens  of  Kentucky,  Ten- 
nessee and  Louisiana  to  his  person,  and  his  meas- 
ures— declared  he  had  inexhaustible  resources  as  to 
funds  ;  assured  me  the  regular  army  would  act  with 
him,  and  would  be  reiaforced  by  10  or  12,000  men 
from  the  above  mentioned  states  and  territory,  and 
from  other  parts  of  the  union  ;  said  he  had  powerful 
agents  in  the  Spanish  territory — and  as  for  Miranda, 
said  Mr.  Burr,  we  must  hang  Miranda.  He  now 
proposed  to  give  me  the  second  command  in  his  ar- 
my. I  asked  him  who  should  have  the  chief  com- 
mand ?  He  said  General  Wilkinson.  I  observed, 
it  was  singular  that  he  should  count  on  Gen.  Wil- 
kinson ;  the  elevated  rank,  and  high  trust  he  now 
held  as  commander  in  chief  of  our  army  and  gover- 
nor of  a  province,  he  would  hardly  put  at  hazard  for 
any  precarious  prospects  of  aggrandizement.  Mr. 
Burr  said,  Gen.  Wilkinson,  balanced  in  the  confi- 
dence of  government,  was  doubtful  of  retaining  much 
longer  the  consideration  he  now  enjoyed,  and  was 
consequently  prepared  to  secure  to  himself  a  perma- 
nency- i  asked  Mr.  Burr  if  he  knew  Gen.  Wilkin- 
f^on  ?  He  answered  yes  :  and  eclioed  the  question. 
I  said  I  knew  him  well.  "  What  do  you  know  of 
Mm  ?*'  said  Mr.  Burr.  I  know,  I  replied,  that 
Gen.  Wilkinson  will  act  as  Lieutenant  to  no  man  in 
existence.  ^'  You  are  in  an  error,"  said  Mr.  Burr. 
•^  Wilkinson  ivill  act  as  Lieutenant  to  me."  From 
the  tenor  of  repeated  conversations  with  Mr.  Burr,  1 
was  induced  to  believe  the  plan  of  separating  the 
union  which  he  had  contemplated  had  been  comrau- 


GEN.    EATOX.  39ft 

nicated  to  and  approved  by  Gen.  Wilkinson,  (though 
I  now  suspect  it  an  artful  argument  of  seduction) 
and  he  often  expressed  a  full  confidence  that  the 
General's  influence  ;  the  offer  of  double  pay  and 
double  rations  ;  the  prospect  of  plunder  and  the  am- 
bition of  atchievement,  would  draw  the  array  into 
his  measures. — Mr.  Burr  talked  of  the  establishment 
of  an  independent  government  west  of  the  Allegha- 
ny as  a  matter  of  inherent,  constitutional  right  of  the 
people  ;  a  change  which  would  eventually  take 
place,  and  for  the  operation  of  which  the  present  cri- 
sis was  peculiarly  favorable.  There  was,  said  he, 
no  energy  in  the  government  to  be  dreaded,  and  the 
divisions  of  political  opinions  throughout  the  union 
was  a  circumstance  of  which  we  sliould  profit. — 
There  were  very  many  enterprising  men  among  us 
who  aspired  to  something  beyond  the  dull  pursuits 
of  civil  life,  and  who  would  volunteer  in  this  enter- 
prise, and  the  vast  territory  belonging  to  the  United 
States  which  offered  to  adventurers,  and  the  rnine^ 
of  Mexico,  would  bring  strength  to  his  standard 
from  all  quarters. 

I  listened  to  the  exposition  of  Col.  Burr's  views 
with  seeming  acquiescence.  Every  interview  con- 
vinced me  more  and  more  that  he  had  organized  a 
deep  laid  plot  of  treason  in  the  west,  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  which  he  felt  fully  confident.  Till,  at 
length,  I  discovered  that  his  ambition  was  not  bound- 
ed by  the  waters  of  the  Missisippi,  and  Mexico,  but 
that  he  meditated  overthrowing  the  present  govern- 
ment of  our  country.  He  said,  if  he  could  gain  over 
the  ^tarine  Corps,  and  secure  the  naval  command- 
ers, Truxton,  Preble.  Decatur  and  others,  he  ivould 
turn  Conp^ess  neck  and  heels  out  of  doors  ;  assassin- 
ate the  President  ;  seize  on  the  treasury  and  navy  ; 
and  declare  himself  the  protector  of  an  energetic  gov- 
ernment. 

The  honorable  trust  of  cotrupting  the  marine 
corps,  and  of  sounding  commodore  Preble  and  cap- 
tain Decator,  Col.   Burr  proposed   confiding  to  me. 


400  LIFE    OF 

Shocked  at  this  proposition,  I  dro  pped  the  mask,  and 
exclaimed  against  his  views.  He  talked  of  the  de- 
graded situation  of  our  country,  and  the  necessity  of 
a  blow  by  which  its  energy  and  its  dignity  should  be 
restored — said,  if  that  blow  could  be  struck  here  at 
this  time,  lie  was  confident  of  the  support  of  the  best 
blood  ot'  *imerica,  I  told  Colonel  Burr  he  deceived 
himself  in  presuming  tliat  he,  or  any  other  man  could 
excite  a  party  in  this  country  who  would  countenance 
him  in  such  a  plot  of  desperation,  murder  and  trea- 
son. He  replied,  that  he,  peiliaps,  knew  better  the 
dispositions  of  the  influential  citizens  of  this  country, 
than  I  did.  I  told  him  one  solitary  word  would' 
destroy  him.  He  asked,  what  word  ?  I  answered* 
Usurper  !  He  smiled  at  my  hesitation,  and  quoted 
some  great  examples  in  his  favor.  I  observed  to  him,' 
that  I  had  lately  travelled  from  one  extreme  of  the 
union  to  the  other  ;  and,  though  I  found  a  diversity 
of  political  opinion  among  the  people,  they  appeared 
united  at  the  most  distant  aspect  of  national  danger. 
That,  for  the  section  of  tiie  union  to  which  I  belong-' 
ed,  I  would  vouch,  should  he  succeed  in  the  first  in- 
stance here,  he  would  within  six  weeks  afterwards 
have  his  throat  cut  by  Yankee  militia. 

Though  wild  and  extravagant  Mr.  Burros  last 
project ;  and  though  fraught  with  premeditated 
slaughter,  I  felt  very  easy  on  the  subject,  because  its 
defeat  he  had  deposited  in  my  own  hands.  I  did 
not  feel  so  secure  concerning  that  of  disjoining  tjie  un- 
ion. But  the  very  interesting  and  embarrassing  situa- 
tion in  whicli  his  communications  placed  me,  left  me, 
I  confess-  at  a  stand  to  know  how  to  conduct  mvself 
with  propriety.  He  had  committed  no  overt  act  of 
aggression  against  law.  I  ceuld  draw  nothing  from 
him  in  writing  ;  nor  could  I  learn  that  he  had  expos- 
ed his  plans  to  any  person  near  uie  by  whom  my  tes- 
timony could  be  supported.  He  had  mentioned  to 
me  no  persons  who  were  principally  and  decidedly 
engaged  with  him,  except  Gen.  Wilkinson-<.-a  Mr. 
Alston,  who  I  found  was  his  son  in  law,  and  a  Mr. 


GEN.    EATON.  401 

Ephraini  Kibby,  lat*  a  Captain  of  rangers  in  Gen. 
Wayne's  army.  Satisfied  that  Mr.  Burr  was  reso- 
lute in  pushing  his  project  of  rebellion  in  the  west  of 
the  Alleghany,  and  apprehensive  that  it  was  too  well 
and  too  extensively  organized  lo  be  easily  suppress- 
ed ;  though  I  dreaded  the  weight  of  his  character 
when  laid  in  the  balance  against  ray  solitary  asser- 
tion, I  brought  myself  to  the  resolution  to  endeavor  to 
defeat  it,  by  getting  him  removed  from  among  us,  or 
to  expose  myself  to  all  consequences  by  a  disclosure 
of  his  intentions.  Accordingly,  I  waited  on  the 
President  of  the  United  States  ;  and  after  some  de- ' 
sultory  conversation,  in  which  I  aimed  to  draw  his 
view  to  the  westward,  I  used  the  freedom  to  say  to 
the  President  1  thought  Mr.  Burr  should  be  sent  out 
of  this  country — and  gave  for  reason,  that  I  believed 
him  dangerous  in  it.  The  President  asked  where 
he  should  be  sent  ?  I  mentioned  London  and  Cadiz. 
The  President  thought  the  trust  too  important,  and 
seemed  to  entertain  a  doubt  of  Mr.  Burr's  integrity. 
I  intimated  that  no  one,  perhaps,  had  stronger  grounds 
to  mistrust  Mr.  Burr's  moral  integrity  than  myself : 
yet,  I  believed  ambition  so  much  predominated  over 
him,  that  when  placed  on  an  eminence  and  put  on 
his  honor,  respect  to  himself  would  ensure  his  fideli- 
ty :  his  talents  were  unquestionable. 

I  perceived  the  subject  was    disagreeable  to  tiie 
President  ;  and  to  give  it  the  shortest  course  to  the 
point,  declared   my  concern   that  if  Mr,  Burr  jvere 
not  in  some  way  disposed  of,  we  should  within  eigh 
teen  months,  have  an  insurrection,  if  not  a  revolution 
on  the  waters  of  the  Missisipjn.     The  President  an 
swered,  that  he  had  too  much  confidence  in  the  infor- 
mation,  the  integrity  and  the  attachment  to  the  union 
of   the  citizens   of  that  country,  to  admit  an  ajypre 
hension  of  the  kind.     I  am  happy  that  events  prove 
this  confidence  well  placed.     As   no  interrogatories 
followed  my  expression  of  alarm,  I  thought  silence 
on  the  subject,  at  that  time   and  place,  became  me. 
Bat  I  detailed,  about  the  same  time-  the  whclfi  pro- 

5i 


40S  LIFE   OF 

jects  of  Mr.  Burr  to  certain  members  of  Congr£ss. 
They  believed  Col.  Burr  capable  of  any  thing — and 
agreed  that  the  fellow  ought  to  he  hanged  ;  but 
thought  his  projects  too  chimerical  and  his  circum- 
stances too  desperate  to  give  the  subject  the  merit  of 
serious  consideration.  The  total  security  of  feeling 
in  those  to  whom  I  had  rung  the  tocsin  induced  me 
to  suspect  my  own  apprehensions  unseasonable,  or  at 
least  too  deeply  admitted  ;  and,  of  course,  I  grew 
indifl'erent  about  the  subject. 

Mr.  Burr's  visits  to  me  became  less  frequent  and 
his  conversation  less  familiar.  He  appeared  to  have 
abandoned  the  idea  of  a  general  revolution  ;  but 
seemed  bent  on  that  of  the  Missisippi ;  and  although 
I  could  perceive  symptoms  of  distrust  in  him  towards 
me,  he  manifested  great  solicitude  to  engage  me  with 
him  in  the  enterprize.  Weary  of  his  importunity, 
and  at  once  to  convince  him  of  my  serious  attach- 
ments, I  gave  the  following  toast  to  the  public  : 

The  United  States — Palsey  to  the  brain  that 
should  plot  to  dismember,  and  Leprocy  to  the  hand 
that  will  not  draw  to  defend  our  union  !  ' 

1  doubt  whether  the  sentiment  was  better  under- 
stood by  any  of  my  acquaintance  than  Colonel  Burr. 
Our  intercourse  ended  here — we  met  but  seldom 
afterward.  I  returned  to  my  farm  in  Massachusetts, 
and  thought  no  more  of  Mr.  Burr,  nor  his  empire,  till 
sometime  late  in  September  or  beginning  of  October, 
-when  a  letter  from  Morris  Belknap,  of  Marietta,  to 
Timothy  E.  Danielson,  fell  into  my  hands  at  Brim- 
iield,  which  satisfied  me  that  Mr.  Burr  iiad  actually 
commenced  his  preparatory  operations  on  the  Ohio. 
I  now  spoke  publicly  of  the  fact — transmitted  a 
copy  of  the  letter  from  Belknap  to  the  department  of 
state,  and  about  the  same  time,  forwarded  through 
the  hands  of  the  postmaster  general,  to  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  a  statement  in  substance,  of 
what  is  here  above  detailed  concernins;  the  Missisippi 
conspiracy  of  the  said  Col.  Aaron  Burr — which  is 
said  to  have  been  the  first  formal  intelligence  recciv- 


GEN.    EATON.  403 

ed  by  the  executive  on  the  subject  of  the  conspirator 
being  in  motion. 

I  know  not  whether  my  country  will  allow  me  the 
merit  of  correctness  of  conduct  in  this  affair.  The 
novelty  of  the  duty  might,  perhaps,  have  embarrass- 
ed stronger  minds  than  mine.  The  uprightness  of 
my  intentions  1  hope  will  not  be  questioned. 

The  interviews  between  Col.  Burr  and  myself, 
from  which  the  foregoing  statement  has  resulted, 
were  chiefly  in  this  city  in  the  months  of  February 
and  March,  last  year. 

WILLIAM  EATON. 

Washington  City,  Jan.  36fA,  1806. 

Sworn  to  in  open  court,  this  S6th  day  of  January, 

1807. 

Wm.  Brent,  Clerk. 


Some  suspicions  have  been  entertained  by  a  few, 
that  Eaton  listened  to  Burr  with  a  wavering  dispo- 
sition, or  with  sentiments  for  some  time  favorable  to 
feis  prcy'ects.  This  however  was  mere  suspicion, 
nor  was  there  even  any  evidence  adduced  to  support 
such  a  charge. 

Gen.  Eaton  iirmly  believed  that  Wilkinson  was 
equally  guilty  with  Burr  ;  as  will  appear  from  the 
answer  to  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Wil- 
kinson to  Eaton. 

Washington,  Jan.  2Sdf  1808. 

My  Deah  Eaton, 

THE  conspiracy  formed  for  my  de- 
struction in  New  Orleans  last  spring,  of  which  I  was 
fully  apprised  at  Richmond,  at  the  time  I  was 
sounding  Powers  and  Clark  as  to  their  object  in  com- 
ing there,  has  burst  forth  in  consequence  of  my  expo- 
sition of  the  turpitude  of  John  Randolph,  and  Clark 
?^eiQg  pushed  by  his  associates   in  New  Orleans^  to 


404  HF£   OF 

fttifil  his  compact  to  destroy  me.  This  villainous  ex- 
plosion which  I  dreaded  before  a  vile  corrupt  Judge, 
with  Burr  and  his  pack  of  infernal  attorneys,  to  tor- 
ture, distort,  deform  and  misrepresent,  to  suit  the 
purpose  of  the  combination,  has  occurred  under  cir- 
cumstances, and  taken  a  course,  which  give  my  ene- 
mies and  accusers  a  claim  to  my  thanks  :  and  if  T  do 
not  prostrate  them  under  my  feet  and  repel  every 
charge  of  dishonor,  then  do  you  abjure  your  Chris- 
tian faith  and  turn  Turk  :  nay  more,  renounce  me 
forever. — The  inclosed  is  a  mere  coup  d'oeil  of  what 
is  believed — poor  Clark  his  horrid  attempt  On  my 
lionor,  has  brought  forward  more  of  honor,  witli  doc 
uments  to  prove  him  guilty  of  perjury  and  forgery, 
and  that  he  was  an  associate  of  the  Mexican  combi 
nation,  and  labored  to  promote  Burr's  views. 

J.  WILKINSON. 
William  Eaton. 

The  compiler  of  these  memoirs  happened  to  be 
with  Gen.  Eaton,  in  Boston  when  this  letter  was 
received.  1  asked  him  if  he  had  any  doubts  of 
the  guilt  of  W^ilkinson  :  he  replied  that  he  had  not  the 
least :  but  that  Wilkinson  had  ingenuity  enough  to 
escape.  To  this  letter  he  returned  the  following  an 
swer. 

Boston,  Feb.  6tk,  1808. 
Sir, 

THE  letter  and  inclosures  you  did 
me  the  honor  to  forward  on  the  39th  ult.  did  nut  ar- 
rive until  yesterday.  For  tiie  honor  of  your  cloth  ; 
for  the  nations  honor  ;  {qv  the  personal  respect  I  feel 
towards  my  former  General,  I  devoutly  wish  your 
reputation  may  come  from  the  ordeal  like  gold  seven 
times  tried  by  the  fire.  Yet  to  an  eye  which  can 
impartially  view  the  statements  as  they  come  to  the 
public,  doubts  cannot  but  arise. 

If  Clark  be  perjured,  he  has  nevertheless  had  the 
address  to  work  so  much  of  consistency  into  his  story 
that  men,  unacquainted  with  your  character,  admit 


GEN.    EATON*  405 

suspicion.  It  will  require  all  your  talent  and  inge- 
nuity to  do  away  this  suspicion.  Do  you  remem- 
ber, sir,  having  shewed  me  a  confidential  letter  from 
Mr.  Clark,  which  talked  of  Dukedoms  and  Princi- 
palities P  I  should  do  injustice  to  candor  were  I  to 
withhold  the  impressions  made  on  my  mind  on  the 
occasion  :  which  were  that  at  one  period  you  must 
have  thought  of  a  Western  Empire  ;  hut  that  ma- 
ture deliberation  determined  your  adiierence  to  duty 
and  the  union  :  of  course  that  your  arrangements  and 
mode  of  exciting  tliem,  in  the  end,  were  necessary 
and  proper.  On  the  charge  of  corruption^  the  man- 
ner you  explained  the  receipt  of  S.^0,000  of  a  Span- 
ish officer,  being  due  as  a  balance  on  a  tobacco  trade, 
smuggled  through  his  connivance,  was  satisfactory 
to  me  :  the  conduct  was  lawful  to  any  American  citi- 
zen. Mr.  Clark  swears  there  was  no  tobacco  specu- 
lation in  tlie  case  :  tliis  testimony  must  be  invalidat- 
ed, or  my  opinion  must  suspend.  I  really  wait  with 
great  solicitude  the  result  of  the  important  enquiry, 

and  remain  with  great  respect^ 
Sir^  your  ver?/  obedient 

WILLIAM  EATON. 


Iii  a  public  address  some  time  after,  Gen.  Eaton 
expressed  himself  thus — "  I  have  jeopardized  my 
life  and  reputation  to  preserve  the  integrity  of  the 
Union  :  and,  (I  hope  to  be  forgiven,)  to  this  vigilance 
and  fidelity,  rather  than  to  movements  on  the  Sabine 
or  at  New  Orleans,  our  hero  of  Carter's  mountain 
owes  his  political  if  not  personal  existence  :  for,  it 
was  not  until  my  public  exposure  had  alarmed  Gen. 
Wilkinson  in  his  camp,  that  he,  though  more  than 
two  years  acquainted  with  the  treasonable  plot, 
thought  of  betraying  his  felloic  traitor,  and  becoming 
a  patriot  by  turning  states  evidence.'^ 

During  the  month  of  February,  I8O7,  Gen.  Eaton 
succeeded  in  procuring  an  adjustment  of  his  ac- 
counts, by  the  passage  of  a  bill  authorising  the   de- 


406  LIFE    OF 

partincnt  of  state  to  settle  them  according  to  equity  : 
but  not  till  he  had,  in  the  following  spirited  manner, 
addressed  the  Committee  of  claims,  which  address 
he  made  public. 

To  the  Honorable  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 

Claims. 

Washington  City,  Feb.  9ith,  I8O7. 
Sir, 

ON  a  review  of  the  statement,  accom- 
panying my  petition  of  SOth  Feb.  1804,  now  before 
this  honorable  Committee,  I  cannot  find  a  paragraph 
which  needs  correction  or  modification.  That  state- 
ment surveys  the  chief  ground  and  origin  of  my 
claims.  Have  the  goodness,  sir,  to  pass  attentively 
over  it ;  and  to  carry  forward,  in  the  examination,  a 
view  of  the  events  which  have  since  occurred  to  es- 
tablish the  correctness  of  the  measures  there  alluded 
to.  It  will  satisfy  you  that  a  perseverance  in  those 
measures  has  given  peace  to  this  country  and  eman- 
cipation to  tliree  hundred  of  our  fellow  citizens  ;  and 
that,  while  it  has  done  something  to  stamp  a  good 
impression  on  the  pirates  of  Barbary,  it  has  saved 
your  treasury  more  thau  a  million  of  Dollars.  My 
reward,  hitherto,  is  penury  and  wounds  !  I  ought 
not,  perhaps,  to  say  this  ;  it  carries  something  which 
savors  of  reproach  :  this  I  do  not  mean.  I  have  no 
where  been  refused  indemnity.  On  the  contrary, 
three  years  ago,  when  as  yet  the  effects  of  my  ar- 
rangements had  not  been  realized,  your  Committee 
expressed  an  opinion  that  I  Jiad  a  well  founded  claim 
on  the  government. 

But  th€  delay,  in  the  decision  necessary  to  a  reim- 
bursement of  ray  expenditures,  has  greatly  distress- 
ed me  in  my  individual  concerns — expenditures  of 
which  my  country  now  reap  the  profit — and  of  which 
a  vast  majority  of  my  countrymen  appear  to  be  very 
sensible. 


GEN.    EATON.  407 

I  do  not  present  myself  here  to  ask  alms,  nor  to 
expect  gratuities — nor  yet  to  draw  on  your  sensibili- 
ty to  awaken  a  consideration  for  all  the  sacrifices  to 
which  I  yielded  in  standing  to  the  duties  of  my  station 
at  the  court  of  a  piratical  despot,  and  on  the  coast  of 
a  savage  enemy.  You  cannot  make  me  such  indem- 
nity— you  cannot,  sir,  under  any  shape  I  can  present 
the  claim,  award  me  a  remuneration  for  the  sacrific- 
es of  property  incident  to  the  vexatious,  impositions 
and  proscriptions  which  the  Bey  of  Tunis  practiced 
on  me  in  consequence  of  my  resistance  to  his  unwar- 
rantable exactions  against  the  United  States — You 
cannot  bring  back  to  me  nine  years  of  active  life — - 
you  cannot  restore  to  me  the  strength  of  an  arm. 
But  for  actual  disbursements  for  the  benefit  of  our 
common  country,  whether  voluntary  or  extorted,  I 
have  a  right  agam  to  resort  to  your  justice,  and  to 
believe  that  this  justice  will  be  no  longer  delayed. 

It  is  only  fit  here,  therefore,  that  I  avow  the  per- 
fect confidence  I  feel,  sir,  in  the  disposition  and  the 
righteousness  of  this  Committee  to  give  my  claims  a 
delibera'te  and  a  seasonable  review,  and  an  equitable 
award. 

With  regard,  however,  to  the  last  item  of  my 
charge,  it  should  be  remarked — this  teas  Tiot  origin- 
ally intended  to  be  brought  against  the  United  States. 
I  had  faith  that  the  honor  of  the  Court  of  Sardinia 
would  redeem  the  paper  of  a  nobleman  charged  witli 
the  high  trust  of  a  national  negociator  :  and  in  case 
of  failure  here,  had  confidence  in  the  exertions  of  the 
sou  of  that  nobleman  to  reimbuise  me  the  cash  I  was 
compelled  to  pay,  as  his  surety,  for  the  re^lemption 
cf  the  child  of  his  affection,  and  for  the  honor  of  his 
family.  I  should,  undoubtedly,  have  realized  these 
confidences  had  not  a  dispensation  of  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States  (unacquainted  with  the 
usages  of  that  country)  released  the  surety  held  at 
Tunis  for  the  debt,  and  been  construed  by  the  Chcv 


4(08  LIFE   OF 

alier  Porcille  as  a  generous  acquittal  of  the  debtor.* 
A  reimbufsement  ought  to  come  from  the  Court  df 
Sardinia  to  our  government.  Papers  touching  this 
tpansaction  are  submitted  with  my  other  document. 
The  heavy  expences  incident  to  an  appeal  to  thiis 
Chancery  for  such  a  length  of  time  as  1  have  been 
before  you,  and  at  so  gi'eat  a  distance  from  my  home ; 
together  with  the  circumstances  of  these  private 
funds  lying  so  long  useless  to  me  have  necessarily 
laid  me  under  pecuniary  responsibility  to  my  friends. 
The  suspense  of  another  year  must  lodge  me  in  a 
'prison  ! 

If  you  find,  sir,  that  I  have  been  upright  to  my 
country — let  my  country,  by  a  reciprocity,  now  enar 
ble  me  to  ranson  myself. 

I  have  the  honor  to  he, 
with  perfect  respect, 

Sir.  your  mo^  obedien  servant, 
WILLIAM  EATON. 


In  May,  Gen.  Eaton  was  elected  by  the  inhab- 
itants of  Brimfield,  a  representative  in  the  legislature 
of  the  state  of  Massachusetts  :  the  first  session  of 
which  commenced  the  last  of  that  month,  which  how- 
ever, he  was  unable  to  attend,  having  been  summon- 
ed to  attend  the  court  about  to  sit  in  Richmond, 
(Vir.)  for  the  trial  of  Aaron  Burr  and  (others.  The 
trial  was  very  long,  and  in  Richmond  he  spent  the 
greater  part  of  the  summer.  Here  his  intemperate 
iiabits  became  more  confirmed ;  and  a  very  great 
proportion  of  his  time  was  spent  at  the  card  (able  ; 
at  which  he  lost  large  sums  of  money  ;  besides  con- 
siderable Slims  in  betting  on  the  issue  of  Burrs  trial. 

Great  pains  were  taken  by  Burr  and  his  counsel 
to  invalidate  the  testimony  of  Eatox,  but  without 
jJuccess.  Much  was  expected  from  the  presence 
and  relation  of  Col.   Gaither,  of  whom   mention  is 

*  This  was  a  debt  of  17,000  piasters,    due  to  the  United  States, 
which  Mr.  Jefferson  kindly  relinquished  by  his  own  imperial  will. 


GEN.    EATON.  409 

made  in  a  formev  part  of  this  volume,  but  the   evi- 
dence of  Eaton,  remained  uninjured. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  second  session  of 
the  legislature  of  Massachusetts,  in  December,  Gen. 
Eaton  took  his  seat.  The  town  which  had  sent 
him  was  decisively  federal,  and  expected  from  him 
a  course  of  political  conduct  agreeable  to  their  wisli- 
es.  He  had  the  reputation,  generally,  of  being  of 
the  Washington  school ;  but  the  delivery  of  a  speech 
in  which  he  condemned  the  conduct  and  impeached 
the  integrity  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall  ;  and  in 
which  were  uttered  many  expressions  and  sentiments 
offensive  to  the  purity  of  federalism  ;  occasioned  the 
withdrawing  of  coniidence  in  both  parties. 

By  a  vain  attempt  iJius  to  secure  the  good  opinion 
of  both  parties  he  lost  the  political  esteem  of  both. 
Nor  less  was  diminished  the  personal  esteem  gener- 
ally  entertained  for  him  at  the  commencement  of  the 
session.  He  was  invited  to  the  tables  of  some  of  the 
most  respectable  characters  in  Boston,  where  his  de- 
portment was  such  in  many  instances,  as  soon  to  ren- 
der liim  an  unwelcome  guest.  He  governed  his  glass 
with  little  jealousy  ;  and  at  such  times,  as  is  usual, 
his  ^^  wit  was  out." 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1808,  Gen.  Eaton,  was 
summoned  to  attend  the  United  States  district  Court 
in  Philadelphia,  as  a  witness  in  the  trial  of  a  per- 
son charged  Avith  being  concerned  with  Eurr.  On 
liis  return  Jie  learned,  to  his  disappointment  and  mor- 
tification, that  he  was  not  reelected  to  the  legislature 
of  this  slate  ;  the  equivocal  part  he  liad  taken  the 
last  session  having  alienated  the  confidence  of  the 
town  ill  his  political  firmness. 

Several  of  his  letters  to  some  friends  in  Wasliing- 
ton  betray  his  wishes  and  expectations  of  receiving 
some  liigh  military  command  in  the  army  of  the  U- 
nited  States.  His  disappointment  in  this  respect ; 
tlie  refusal  of  the  town  of  Brimlield  again  to  send 
iiim  to  the  General  Court,  and  the  derangement  and 
embarrassment  of  his  domestic  and  pecuniary  con- 

5g 


418  LIFE  or 

cems  ;  so  preyed  upon  liis  mind  that  he  seems  from 
this  time  to  have  given  himself  up  to  the  despair  of 
promotion,  of  mending  his  fortune  or  reestablishing 
his  character  :  his  habits  of  intemperance  became 
more  constant  and  excessive  ;  and  excepting  in  mo- 
ments of  hilarity  he  appeared  to  view  the  world  with 
gloom  or  indignation. 

In  the  month  of  August,  his  son  Eli  E.  Daniel- 
son,  who  had  accompanied  him  in  his  expedition  to 
Derne,  and  to  whom  he  was  particularly  attached, 
fell  in  a  duel  at  New  York,  in  consequence  of  a 
quarrel  with  a  brother  officer  in  the  navy.  Infor- 
mation of  this  misfortune  was  received  in  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Babbit  ;  to  which  Gen.  Eatox,  gave  the 
following  answer. 


BrimjieldyAug,  l^ih,  1808. 

Dear  Siu, 

THE  sympathy  you  manifest  in  the 
event  which  occurred  on  the  5th  instant,  so  aflfticting 
to  myself  and  family,  receives  our  unaffected  ac- 
knowledgments* 

I  wished  Danielson  might  have  lived  to  the  use- 
fulness of  whiclt  he  was  capable. — But  who  can 
parry  the  arrow  of  d^ath  !  The  iclien  and  the  icliera 
we  receive  the  shock  is  of  less  consequence  than  the 
how. — I  have  always  flattered  myself  that  your  friend 
could  not  die  unlike  a  brave  man  :  but  it  pains  me 
that  the  ground  of  his  fall  had  not  been  marked  w  itb 
more  usefulness  to  his  country. — Brave,  great  and 
experienced  men  may  sometimes  find  it  necessary  to 
their  reputation  tliat  they  meet  in  personal  contest ; 
this  may  be  justified  where  the  fate  of  a  nation  is  de- 
pending ;  such  occuri'ence^;  are  rare  :  but  the  trivial 
disputes  which  excite  ardent  young  men  to  put  life 
up  at  a  game  of  hazard,  cannot  be  reconciled  to  prin- 
ciples of  morality,  patriotism,  nor  character.  Daniel- 
son  wanted  no  tests  of  Jiis  bravery  :  young,  as  he 
was,  experience  had  tested  this.     I  lament  more  the 


GEN.    EATON.  $11 

absence  of  his  prudence  than  I  should  the  loss  we 
feel  had  he  fallen  in  the  legidmiite  iield  of  glory. — 
The  manner  of  Hamilton^s  death  added  nothing  to 
the  lustre  of  his  fame ;  and  the  circumstance  of 
Burr's  killing  him  gave  no  man  the  more  confidence 
in  Burr's  honesty  nor  patriotism  :  the  catastrophe 
satisfied  no  one  on  the  merits  of  the  cause  which 
produced  it.  Individuals  may  slaughter  each  other 
honorably  by  the  laws  of  chivalry — all  that  society 
can  pronounce  on  this  exhibition  of  courage  is — Alas  ! 
The  absence  of  Commodore  Hodgers  at  that  eventful 
moment  is  much  to  be  lamented  :  His  presence 
would  have  overawed  the  extremity  which  has 
brought  affliction  to  tlie  concerned  for  the  deceased, 
and  a  loss  to  the  service  of  our  country — I  most  de- 
voutly hope  that  this  unhappy  incident  may  prove  a 
caution  to  the  young  gentlemen  of  your  profession^, 
against  sudden  sallies  of  passions. 

Any  thing  in  detail  which  you  can  state  concern- 
ing the  melancholy  death  of  my  son  and  friend,  will 
confer  en  me  a  peculiar  obligation.  I  have  received 
no  communications  from  Mr.  Boyd,  nor  Mr.  Evans, 
on  the  subject. 

•/  am,  Sir,  ^c. 
WILLIAM  EATON. 
Lieut.  FiTz  H.  Babbit, 
U.  S.  JV'avij. 


That  Gen.  Eaton  was  in  almost  all  respects  in 
principle  a  geuuine  disciple  of  the  Washington 
school  of  politics  is  certain.  The  acquittal  of  Burr 
however  in  some  measure  soured  his  mind,  and  the 
hope  of  promotion  in  the  army,  by  gratifying  the  rul- 
ing administration,  occasioned  at  times  a  considera- 
ble swerving  from  his  convictions.  In  the  autumn  of 
this  year  he  however  boldly  denounced  the  general 
policy  and  measures  of  Congress.  The  following 
speech,  made  in  town  meeting  in  Brimfield,  is  wor- 
thy preservation   as  an   exhibition  of  his  oratorical 


41S  LIFE   OF 

talents,  as  well  as  for  its  general  correctness  of  pria- 
ciple  and  propliecy. 


From  the  Boston  Repertory. 

BRIMFIELD  TOWN  MEETING. 

Ofi  the  29th  iilt.  the  Inhabitants  in  Brimfield,  in  this 
State^  being  duly  notified,  assembled  to  take  into 
consideration  the  expedience  of  petitioning  the 
President  of  the  United  States  to  remove  the  Em- 
bargo in  whole  or  in  pari,  or  to  convene  Congress, 
with  that  view,  if  his  power  were  deemed  incom- 
petent. On  this  occasion,  General  Eaton  ad- 
dressed his  fellow  townsmen  in  the  following 
Speech,  tvhich  was  requested  for  publication  by 
vote  of  the  town,  andforivarded  to  us  for  that  rmr- 
^pose, 

REMARKS  BY  GEJTERJIL  EATOJW 

IN  the  address  of  the  inhabitants  of  tlie 
town  of  Boston  to  the  president  of  the  United  States, 
and  now  offered  to  this  town  for  concurrence,  we 
see  nothing  unconstitutional  nor  disrespectful. — Its 
object,  if  attainable,  is  essentially  important  to  the 
commercial  and  agricultural  interests  of  tliis  coun- 
try :  and  not  less  necessary  to  our  revenue.  In- 
deed the  distress  and  misej-y  occasioned  among  all 
classes  of  our  fellow  citizens  by  the  Embargo,  this 
negative  measure  of  coercion,  are  of  themselves  suffi- 
cient to  justify  this  appeal  for  relief. 

It  is  hardly  necessary,  at  this  moment,  minutely 
to  investigate  the  causes  or  the  motives  which  hiducr 
ed  the  Embargo.  Admit,  what  cannot  be  denied, 
that  the  interdictions  upon  our  commerce  by  the  bel- 
ligerents, 2/*  t/ie//  could  have  been  enforced,  would 
have  nearly  excluded  us  from  the  ocean — that  by 
both  parties  we  have  been  outraged — rplundered  and 


GEN.    EATON.  413 

insulted  by  both — and  against  both  had  sufficient 
cause  of  war  :  it  does  not  follow,  from  any  thing 
that  appears  to  uS;  that  the  position  we  have  taken 
to  meet,  those  ag2;ressions  has  produced  any  relaxa- 
tion of  the  restraints  imposed  on  us  as  a  neutral  na- 
tion ;  nor  any  amelioration  of  our  sulTerings. 

A  season,  as  it  relates  to  commerce,  has  elapsed 
since  the  imposition  of  the  Embargo  ;  the  experi- 
ment has  neither  procured  us  national  hoii or ^  national 
security — nor  domestic  tranquility  ;  on  the  contrary, 
in  a  national  and  domestic  point  of  view,  we  suft'er 
from  this  measure  every  disaster  incident  to  war,  ex- 
cept actual  invasion,  without  any  of  the  possible  ad- 
vantages of  war.  For  though  we  see  not  on  our  plains, 
garments,  rolled  in  blood,  we  see  our  sea  board  de- 
serted by  a  hardy  race  of  our  natural  defenders, 
whom  starvation  has  compelled  to  seek  foreign  ser- 
vice ;  to  die  ingk)riously  and  unlaraented.  Thongli 
we  see  not  the  devastation  of  plundering  armies,  M"i 
feel  our  wealth  diminisliing  to  a  death  bed  consump- 
tion for  want  of  action — commerce  annihilated — in- 
dustry discouraged — the  heart  of  enterprise  broken — 
and  a  species  of  lazaroni  beginning  to  crowd  our 
porches  with  no  other  claims  on  our  charity  than 
want  of  employment  !  And  though  we  do  not,  indeed 
weep  the  misfortunes  of  our  iiag  for  defeated  squad- 
rons and  armies,  we  blush  its  fallen  ^ory  as  the  ef- 
fects of  a  pusilanimous  speculation  on  events  much 
more  dishonorable  than  manly  defeat. 

It  is  believed  no  real  American  will  deny  that  both 
France  and  England  have  given  us  sufficient  provo- 
cation to  war.  Not  to  mention  the  captures^  deten- 
tions, condemnations,  burnings  and  sinkings  of  our 
ships  and  merchandise  by  decrees  of  Napoleon  the 
First ;  not  to  mention  his  insolence  at  onr  court ;  his 
fraVkdulent  sale  iohonest purchasers,  of  the  unbound- 
ed Louisiana,  and  his  subsequent  inteiference  in  be- 
half of  the  claims  of  Spain  to  the  very  territory  he 
sold  us,  should  have  been  enough  to  have  raised  tlie 
resentment  of  this  whole   nation. — That  trpaisactiou 


414  LIFE    OF 

always  reminds  one  of  an  upstart  who  once  offered 
our  SsLviouY  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  on  condi- 
tion of  his  homage — The  Devil  was  rebuked — 
Bonaparte  succeeded  Letter  with  a  subject.  Both 
had  an  equal  right  to  the  kingdom  they  proposed 
to  ])arter  for  homage. 

But  all  the  violations  of  our  rigjits,  on  the  part  of 
the  Corsican,  are  silently  and  tamely  endured,  and 
the  edge  of  resentment,  under  his  patronage,  is  solely 
pointed  to  England.  It  can  no  longer  be  conceal- 
cd,  that  the  Embargo  was  intended  for  the  British 
nation,  and/o?'  her  alone  ;  else  why  do  lier  ships  of 
war  continue  to  l)e  excluded  from  our  ports,  and 
those  of  her  enemy  admitted  to  indulgencies  whicli 
are  denied  to  our  own  citizens  ?  It  is  believed  that 
the  Embargo  was  contemplated  as  a  war  measure  ; 
and  mean<^,  by  some  leading  characters  of  our  admin- 
istration, to  produce  that  effect.  Indeed  I  do  not 
hesitate  to  assert,  that  war  with  England  has  been 
a  matter  of  calculation  with  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  United  States.  Else  why  have  all  his  messen- 
gers left  their  dispatches  in  France  ;  and  to  amuse 
our  confidence,  gone  in  blank  to  England  ?  Else  why 
do  we  see  so  many  posts  of  trust  and  honor  filled 
with  avowed  enemies  to  England,  and  devoted 
friends  of  an  usurper  ? 

But  such  an  event  under  existing  circumstances, 
would  prove  ruinous  to  our  country.  Allied,  as 
England  now  is,  with  Spain  and  Portugal,  the  whole 
boundary  line  of  these  United  States,  both  by  sea 
and  land,  comprising  a  circumference  of  more  than 
four  thousand  miles,  would  become  an  enemy  fron- 
tier. Spain  has  never  yet  ceded  Louisiana  to  us. 
The  discontented  subjects  of  that  territory  ;  the  jeal- 
ous Mexicans  :  the  choice  spirits  on  the  waters  of 
the  Missisippi ;  the  restless,  untamed  sons  of  the 
forest :  and  the  British  provinces  of  Canada,  would 
all  cooperate  against  us  on  that  border  :  what  barri- 
er can  we  oppose  to  them  in  defence  of  that  great 
section  of  the  union  ? 


G^N.    EATON.  '  4*1  & 

Gome  to  our  Atlantic  seaboard. — What  have  we 
to  defend  our  commercial  towns  and  cities,  the  seats 
of  our  wealth,  and  resources  of  our  revenue,  against 
the  comb'ined  navies  of  Great  Britain  and  her  allies  ? 
Will  our  gunboats  and  mud  batteries  do  it  ?  The 
notion  is  ridiculous.  Can  Bonaparte  do  it  ?  Every 
body  knows  he  cannot  float  a  Frenchman  across  the 
Atlantic,  except  in  disguise  of  a  mandarin  !  A  great 
statesman  and  philosopher  would  recommend  asyl- 
um in  mountains^ — but  the  dwellings  like  the  habits 
of  New  England  are  too  fixed  for  mountain  retreats. 
Our  altars  and  fire  sides  we  cannot  abandon  for  caves 
and  grottos.  If  neither  the  policy  nor  the  energy  of 
the  measures  of  administration  can  protect  us  at 
home,  where  shall  we  look  for  protection  ?  Shall  we 
cede  ourselves  to  France  by  allianae  with  her  ty- 
rant ?  We  commit  national  suicide  and  die  an  igno- 
minious political  death.  We  have  the  tale  of  half 
Europe  to  admonish  uij  against  such  a  dependence. 
Bonaparte  like  Judas,  kisses  to  betray.  The  only 
possible  benefit  resulting  from  his  good  graces  would 
])e,  to  be  brought  calmly  in  from  the  "  tempestuous 
sea  of  liberty,"  and  securely  grounded  in  the  dry 
dock  of  despotism.  Our  imperial  and  royal  ally 
would  graciously  signify  to  us  his  paternal  solicitude 
for  our  safety  by  creating  lus  well  beloved  nephev/ 
Don  Jerome  Patterson  Napoleon,  King  of  these 
States  ;  and  his  faithful  and  trusty  General  and 
Plenipotentiary  Turreau,  Lie.utenant  and  Regent 
of  the  kingdom  during  the  minority  of  Ms  said  neph- 
ew. Our  governors  of  States  would  be  provided 
from  his  general  staif.  Are  Americans  so  soon  pre- 
pared for  this  political  annihilation  and  voluntary 
transmigration  into  reptiles  ?  Not  yet  !  Let  us  be 
loosed  from  the  shackles  which  depress  the  nation  ; 
put  on  oar  armor  ;  and  let  us  like  Spaniards,  resist 
the  lure  and  the  fraud  of  a  blood  stained  son  of  ra- 
pine.— -To  support  this  position  must  we  take  the 
hand  of  England  ?  Tlien  would  our  catastrophe  be 
as  certain  ;  though  we   mny   linger  out   somewhat 


4l6  LIFE   OF 

longer  a  disgraceful  existence. — Both  these  nations 
have  an  itching  palm  for  this  country.  They  have 
contended  for  it  ever  since  its  discovery,  even  when 
a  forest.  The  oldest  soldier  and  youngest  student  a- 
mong  us  know  this.  But,  if  at  a  period  when  wild 
and  unproductive,  it  was  an  object  of  contest,  how 
much  more  so  now  when  it  might  produce  to  a  con- 
queror or  a  seducer,  a  revenue  or  a  con ti  ibution  of  thir- 
ty millions  a  year.  Against  the  lust  of  conquest  anil 
the  pride  of  empire  do  we  expect  national  Jifsh'ce  to 
defend  r.s  ?  The  term  alas,  is  no  longer  to  be  found 
in  the  libraries  of  courts  !  Can  met-kness  save  iis  ? 
When  have  we  known  a  tyrant  lift  his  fotjt  from  the 
neck  of  a  voluntary  slave,  or  a  country  receiving  for- 
eign protection  who  were  not  ultimately  reduced  to 
vassalage  !  No  :  It  is  upon  the  arm  of  God  and  the 
use  of  our  ov/n  means  that  tijis  naUon  must  rely  for 
the  recovery  of  its  rights  and  for  the  maintenance  of 
our  independence.  Under  that  Almighty  protection 
we  must  stand  by  our  ov/n  strength.  Alliances  have 
generally  ended  in  the  same  way  the  very  instant  a 
preponderance  of  power  and  advantage  has  fallen 
into  either  scrde. 

The  great  events  now  agitating  in  the  eastern  con- 
tinent, may,  and  it  would  seem  must  so  completely 
occupy  tlie  warring  rivals  of  Europe  that  their  ava- 
rice would  be  turned  from  the  United  States  for  a 
time  ;  and  great  advantages,  if  improved,  thence  re- 
sult to  oiir  commercial  enterprise.  Lift  the  Embar- 
go ;  hill's  commerce  to  shift  for  itself ;  and,  in  des- 
pite of  imperial  decrees,  we  have  open  a  vast  field 
for  the  display  of  this  enterprise.  We  }»ave  the  Brit- 
ish ports  every  where — Sweden  and  Norway — the 
whole  coast  of  Portugal  and  Spain — the  islands 
Minorca  and  Majorca — the  whole  Turkish  coast  of 
the  Mediterranean,  except  Algiers — tlie  entire  wes- 
tern and  southern  coast  of  Africa — the  borders  of  the 
Red  Sea — India  and  China  ;  Madeira,  Teneriffe  and 
the  Azores — most  of  the  rich  islands  of  the  West  In- 
dies— the   Spanish  and  Portuguese  coast  of  Soiuh 


(JEN.    EATON.  ^bljT 

America— -liie  whole  American  coast  of  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  And  what  is  more  important  to  us,  our  own 
Coast  and  our  own  Fisheries,  comprising  more  than 
four  fifths  of  the  commercial  coasts  of  the  four  Con- 
tinents, and  productive  islands  of  the  seas.  Shall 
we  forego  all  the  advantages  which  could  be  derived 
from  these  sources  of  wealth  from  dread  of  the  de- 
crees of  an  adventurer,  who  has  grown  potent  from 
incident,  and  whom  the  justice  of  Heaven  may  soon 
throw  back  to  impotence  on  his  native  island  of  rocks 
and  sterility  ?  A  mighty  man  of  valor  who  dares  not 
send  a  bombkctch  to  sea  through  dread  of  his  enemy  ! 
Such  humility  is  too  degrading  to  the  feelings  of 
brave  men  and  honest  Americans. 

But  if  this  crisis  be  seized  as  by  many  apprehend- 
ed, and  by  some  asserted,  to  try  an  experiment  upon 
a,  favorite  plan  of  withdrawing  ourselves  entirely 
from  the  seas,  and  wholly  abandoning  foreign  com- 
merce, it  requires  no  deep  penetration  to  foresee  that 
the  experiment,  if  persevered  in,  will  produce  a  dis- 
me mhejinent  ot  ih^ union.  "  Where  the  treasure  is, 
there  will  the  heart  be  also.''  Friendship  and  union 
end  the  moment  that  interests  clash,  or  that  an  over- 
bearing disposition  betrays  itself  in  a  section  of  the 
union.  The  commerce  of  New  England  is  our  most 
productive  field  of  industry.  Deprive  us  of  this,  and 
we  may  become  hev/ersof  wood  and  drawers  of  wa- 
ter  to  task  masters  of  more  luxuriant  climates  ;  But 
ere  this  liumiliation  sink  us,  hearts  will  bleed  and 
heads  will  fall.  I  mean  not  generally  to  implicate  a- 
ny  section  of  the  United  States  in  hostility  to  the  in- 
terests and  growth  of  tlie  North  and  the  JSast ;  but 
in  some  leading  characters  I  have  witnessed  conduct 
which  would  justify  the  suspicion;  and  no  where 
more  strongly  than  in  an  obstinate  opposition  to  the 
just  claims  of  our  countrymen  who  unsuspectingly 
purchased  territory  under  the  solemn  grant  of  a  state: 
I  mean  on  the  Yazoo.  The  embapgo  is  not  without 
its  features  of  a  siraular  design.  It  ^iestroys  the 
fruits  of  our  industry  and  turns  our  labors  to  noughtv 

53 


418  LIFE  or 

Agriculture  is  the  handmaid  of  Comiuerce  says  a 
great  mart.  But  if  the  abilities  of  the  Govevncss  be 
pinionctl,  where  shall  the  hasidmaid  find  meaiis  to  be 
useful  to  herself  ?  The  present  times  answer  tliis 
question.  What  is  to  be  done  with  the  surplus  prod- 
uce of  our  hard  earnings  upon  <»ur  hard  farms  ! 
Perish  in  our  graneries  and  cells  !  Where  is  the  cir- 
culating medium  of  our  country  ?  Embargoed.  In 
banks,  which  like  the  gates  of  death,  shut  and  no 
man  opens — How  shall  the  farmer  and  the  fisherman 
discharge  his  contracts  ?  By  !)ankruptcy  !  Uovv  is 
the  civil  list  to  be  paid  ?  And  how  the  national  debt 
provided  for  ?  By  direct  taxes  !  How  find  the  means 
to  pay  direct  taxes  ?  Our  digriified  retirement  within 
ourselves  does  not  afford  them — Shall  we  all  go  pri- 
vateering ?  We  are  Embargoed  !  Situated  as  we  are 
we  possess  nothing,  nor  can  we  produce  any  thing 
which  will  bring  casli.  And  though  we  give  our 
bodies  to  be  burned,  and  have  not  cash,  it  is  nothing. 
Privation  and  imprisonment  will  not  pay  a  debt  of 
honor,  nor  satisfy  an  execution  ;  but  if  things  stand 
on  as  now  going,  this  state  of  dignified  retirement, 
will  by  and  by  become  our  dernier  reso''t  for  making 
ourselves  respected  abroad  and  secure  at  home. 

Our  national  father,  Washington,  wiiose  name  all 
parties  hail  with  enthusiasm,  always  recommended 
to  the  stales,  as  a  strong  bond  of  union,  mutual  sac- 
rifices, forbearances  and  sufferings.  ([  wish  liis 
valedictory  may  be  read  in  caucuses.)  jiov/  has  his 
council  been  respected  ?  Tlie  eastern  states  have 
been  left  naked  of  defence  to  spare  money  for  capar- 
isoning a  hobby  on  the  west  of  our  ancient  bounda- 
ries,(for  sucli  is  Louisiana,)and  it  is  believed  the  Em- 
bargo was  recommended,  in  some  measuiT,  to  grati- 
fy'the  imperial  vender  of  that  hobby,  lest  in  his  wralh 
lie  should  dismount  his  rider.  ^V'liatever  the  in- 
ducement to  the  measure,  the  author  could  not  but 
foresee  that  it  niust,  if  continued,  operate  unerpially 
upon  the  different  states.  The  north  and  east  have 
not  the  natural   resources   of  the  south   and  west. 


GEN«    EATOK.  419 

Some  of  our  necessaries  of  life,  many  of  our  conveni- 
ences, and  most  of  our  luxuries,  are  derived  from 
commerce  :  Deprive  us  totally  of  this  resort,  and 
wants  both  real  and  imaginary  will  assail  us,  and 
will  produce  tljat  discontentment  which  presidential 
proclamations  ^^  ill  find  diificult  to  pacify.  Let  us 
be  indulged  in  the  exercise  of  our  )iatural  energy, 
the  use  of  our  resources,  and  the  pride  of  our  Inde- 
pendence ;  and  we  will  not  be  re|)roachful  at  the 
philosophy  which  seeks  shelter  in  a  mountain  or  a 
tub.  I  shall  vote  i'or  the  Boston  a«ldress — and  I 
hope  the  President  will  give  it,  graciously,  his  high 
consideration. 

In  Town  Meeting  in  Bi^Vnfield^  •^w^-    29,   1808. 

Voted,  to  request  of  Gen.  Katon,   a   copy    of  his 
remarks  on  the  sul)joct  of  the  Communications   from 
Boston  to  the  Select  men  of  Brimtield,  for  the  press. 
Copy  of  record. 

Attest,     S.  Pynciion,  Town  Clerk. 

In  December  1809,  he  was  visited  by  Leitensdor- 
fer,  or  Eugene,  the  man  wiiom  he  sent  to  Upper  E- 
gypt  in  search  of  the  Ex- Bashaw,  and  who  accom- 
panied Eaton  through  the  desart  of  Barca,  and  act- 
ed as  a  Colonel  in  the  battle  of  Derne.  No  man 
ever  appeared  to  be  more  gratified  than  Gen.  Eaton 
by  this  unexpected  visii.  Leitensdorfer  tarried  sev- 
eral days,  then  took  his  de[)arture  for  the  City  of 
Washington,  having  first  received  from  Eaton  cer- 
tificates of  his  unrewarded  services,  and  recommen- 
(lations  to  Gen.  Bradley  of  the  Senate  and  other 
members  of  Congress,  to  enal)le  him  to  substantiate 
and  obtain  his  dues.* 

*  Ihe  reader  noill  doubtless  here  be  gratified  ijoitb  the  folleiulng  biogra- 
phy of  this  extraordinary  man,  from  the  Port  Folio. 

Life  of  a  Tyrof-ese  at  Washington. 

Account  of  the  remarkable  Tyrolesey  patronized  by  the  American  Genjern- 

tncnt. 

Sully  thought  it  wortli  while  to  delineate  the  character  of  Servin ; 
joldsmith  employed  himself  in  describing  the  qualities  of  Chrichton  : 


4^0 


LIFE   OF 


He  ever  considered  himself  as  having  been  tiie  uu- 
intentional  means  of  rendering  tlie  situation  of  the 
Ex-Bashaw  less  eligible  than  before  his  cooperation 

and  Johnson  has  drawn  at  full  length  the  portrait  of  Savage.  Other 
extraordinary  persons  demanded  from  time  to  time  the  aid  of  biogra- 
phy. For  a  year  and  more,  a  remarkable  man  has  lived  at  the  seatof 
the  nationa.l  government.  He  has  attracted  so  much  attention  as  to 
have  been  the  subject  of  a  special  act  of  congress.  Few  of  the  mem- 
bers knew  much  about  him  ;  and  still  less  was  known  to  the  public. 
On  the  passage  of  the  bill  in  his  favor,  one  of  the  representatives  of 
the  people  was,  from  diffidence  and  the  love  of  quiet,  withheld  from 
delivering,  the  following  history  of  the  man. 

Ger-vasio  Prodasio  Santuart  was  born  at  a  village  near  Trent,  in  the 
Tyrol,  on  the  twenty  first  of  October,  1T72  He  was  educated  in  one 
of  the  schools  of  that  country,  in  which  part  of  the  learner's  time  is  de- 
voted to  literature,  and  part  to  the  exercise  of  the  agricultural  and 
mechanic  arts.  He  was  then  sent  to  college,  for  the  purpose  of  be- 
ing educated  to  the  Romish  church.  But  not  liking  his  occupation 
or  prospects,  he  quitted  his  theological  studies  and  entered  very  young 
into  the  married  life  For  a  while  he  solicited  employment  as  a  sur- 
veyor of  land.  Shortly  after,  when  Joseph  the  Second  ordered  an  ex- 
pedition against  the  Turks,  he  entered  tlie  army  under  Laudun,  and 
iTiarchedon  the  exjpedition  to  Belgrade.  He  afterwards  sustained  his 
part  of  the  siege  of  Mantua  under  Wurmser.  After  the  capitulation 
of  that  city,  he  was  under  the  command  of  Alvinzy,  and  deserted 
from  the  Austrian  army  to  avoid  the  punishment  of  hanging  for  hav- 
ing been  concerned  in  a  duel.  He  joined  the  French  at  Milan,  and 
passed  by  the  name  Carlo  Hossondo.  But  growing  weary  of  the  sus- 
picion which  attached  to  him  as  a  spy,  he  poisoned  the  guards  by  ad- 
ministering to  them  drink  containing  deadly  doses  of  opium,and  es- 
caped to  a  village  situated  in  the  southern  extremity  of  Switzerland. 
Here,  to  avoid  detection,  he  assumed  the  name  of  Johan  Eugene 
Leitensdorfer.  From  this  place  he  sent  word  to  his  family  of  his  sit- 
uation, and  received  from  them  a  remittance  of  money  With  this  he 
bought  watches  and  jewelry,  ^nd  travelled  into  France  and  Spain, 
selling  his  ware  as  he  went- 

In  this  capacity  he  visited  Toulon,  and  was  induced  to  embark  in  a 
vessel  and  sail  for  Egypt.  After  his  arrival  he  wandered  to  Cairo, 
while  Menou  commanded  the  French  forces,  and  he  assisted  in  the 
agricultural  and  economical  projects  of  the  institute  that  was  formed 
there.  Some  time  after  the  arrival  of  the  English  army  and  of  Aber- 
crombie's  death,  he  quitted  the  French  and  attached  himself  to  the 
British.  By  the  Enghshofficers  he  was  encouraged  to  open  a  coffee 
house,  for  tneir  entertainment.  In  this  occupation  he  collected  mon- 
ey enough  to  buy  a  house,  and  to  be  concerned  in  a  theatre,  in  which 
the  military  gentlemen  of  dramatic  tas.te  performed  plays.  Here  he 
married  a  Coptic  woman. 

On  the  withdrawing  of  the  English,  he  found  it  necessary  to  leave 
Alexandria  too  Heabandoned  his  wife,  child  and  property,  and  ar- 
rived, after  an  ordinary  voyage  at  Messina,  in  Sicily.  At  that  place, 
being  out  of  employment,  and  destitute  of  resources,  he  entered  him- 
self a  novice  in  a  monastery  of  Capuchin  friars;  and  after  having 
practised  their  discipline  and  enjoyed  their  bounty,  under  the  name  qf 
Padre  Anselmo,  until  a  convenient  opportunity  oftered  of  running  a- 
way,  he  went  off  in  a  vessel  for  Smyrna.  He  soon  reached  Con- 
stantinople, and  there  rambled  about  for  three  days  whithout  food  or 


,   Gi;x.  EATON.  421 

wiih  the  fovccs  of  the  United  States:  He  likewise 
considered  liimself  authovised  to  make  the  treaty 
with  him  which  was  made,  and  the  government  of  the 

dnnk.  At  length  meeting  a  Capuchin,  he  begged  of  him  a  pack  of 
cards  and  a  pistol  ;  and  with  the  aid  of  these  he  exhibited  tricks,  and 
retrieved  in  some  measure  his  desperate  fortune. 

About  this  time,  Brune,  who  had  commanded  the  French  army  at 
Milan,  when  he  made  his  escape,  arrived  at  Constantinople  as  the 
French  embassador  ;  and  he,  fearing  that  he  might  be  discovered  and 
arrested,  enlisted  in  the  Turkish  service.  Two  expeditions  were  then 
on  foot  J  one  against  Passwan  Oglou  in  Bulgaria;  and  the  other  a- 
gainst  Elfy  Bey  in  Egypt.  He  jomed  the  latter ;  and  on  the  defeat  of 
the  Turkish  detachment  to  which  he  belonged,  saved  his  head  by  be- 
taking himself  to  the  desert,  and  courting  protection  from  the  Be- 
doween  Arabs.  After  his  unfortunate  expedition,  he  returned  to 
Constantinople,  and  solicited  a  passport  from  the  Russian  minister  to 
get  into  Muscovy  1  his  being  refused  him,  he  ouce  more  endeavor- 
ed to  obtain  military  employment,  by  the  Turks  j  but  in  this  he  was 
unsuccessful. 

He  now  resolved  to  assume  the  character  of  a  dervise.  These  are 
the  functionaries  of  rehgion,  and  always  combine^  with  their  sacerdo- 
tal office,  those  of  physician  and  conjurer  To  be  initiated  into  this 
order  he  made  a  formal  renunciation  of  Christianity,  denounced  its 
foUov/ers  for  the  wrongs  and  injuries  they  had  done  him,  professed 
the  Mahometan  faith  in  due  form,  and  to  show  that  he  was  in  earnest, 
circumcised  himself  in  the  presence  of  the  faithful,  by  his  own  hand 
with  a  razor.  This  being  accomplished,  he  joined,  under  the  new 
name  of  Murat  Aga,  a  caravan  for  Trebizoud,  on  the  southern  shore 
of  the  Black  sea.  On  the  way  he  practised  his  profession  by  giving 
directions  to  the  sick,  and  selling,  for  considerable  sums  of  money, 
small  pieces  of  paper  on  which  were  written  sentences  from  the  Koran 
in  Turkish,  which  he  sanctified  by  applying  them  to  his  shaven  and 
naked  crown. 

At  Trebizond  he  was  informed  that  the  Bashaw  was  dangerously 
sick  and  threatened  with  bhndness.  He  was  directed  to  prescribe  for 
this  grand  patient  :  but  this  he  refused  to  do,  until  he  should  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  sovereign  presence.  Thither  he  was  conducted  through 
files  of  armed  soldiers  and  ranks  of  kneeling  officers.  Having  arriv- 
ed in  the  sick  chamber,  the  dervise  displayed  all  the  pomp  and  gran- 
deur of  his  calling,  by  solemnly  invoking  God  and  the  prophet.  He 
next  proceeded  to  enquire  under  what  disease  the  Bashaw  labored • 
Finding  that  he  was  afflicted  with  a  fever  acconipanied  with  a  violent 
inflammation  of  the  eyes,  and  judging  that  he  might  recover  both 
health  and  sight,  he  boldly  declared  it  to  be  God's  will  that  both  these 
events  should  happen,  after  the  next  new  moon,  provided  certain  in- 
termediate remedies  should  be  used. -Then  searching  the  pouch  con- 
tainmg  his  medicines  and  apparatus,  he  produced  a  white  powder 
v.'hich  he  ordered  to  be  blown  mto  the  bashaw's  eyes,  and  a  wash  of 
milk  and  water  to  be  frequently  employed  afterwards.  Sweating  was 
likewise  recommended,  by  the  assistance  *  t^f  warm  drinks  and 
blankets.  He  was  well  rewarded  by  money  and  presents;  and  the 
next  day  departed  with  the  caravan  towards  Persia,  intending  to  be 
nine  or  ten  days'  journey  trom  Trebizond  before  tJie  new  moon 
should  appear,  that  he  might  be  quite  out  of  reach,  in  case  the  event 
should  be  unfortunate. 


4S2  J-lfE   OF 

United  Stales  bound  for  its  fulfilment.  Hence  his 
complaints  were  constant  against  what  he  called  the 
duplicity,  injustice  and  treaciiery  of  Lear,  sanctioned 

This  caravan  being  numerous,  and  heavily  loaded,  was  overtaken 
some  days  afterward  by  a  lighter,  and  armed  caravan,  who  pursued 
themfor  the  purpose  of  plunder.  And  the  caravan  to  which  he  be- 
longed finding  it  must  either  fight  or  purchase  terms,  it  chose  the  lat- 
ter. This  affair  being  settled,  he  heard  two  men  of  the  marauding  car- 
avan talking  to  each  other,  concerning  the  grand  dervise  who  had  cur- 
ed the  Bashaw  of  Trebizond.  He  heard  them  say  that  recovery  was 
confidently  expected,  inasmuch  as  the  threatening  symptomshada- 
bated,  and  the  prospect  was  every  way  more  encouraging.  The  der- 
vise then  rejoiced  at  the  beneficial  operation  of  the  caustic  lime  which 
he  had  ordered  to  be  blown  into  the  Bashaw's  eyes,  to  eat  the  films  a- 
way.  On  hi«  return  the  physician  presented  himself  before  the  govern- 
or. He  was  received  as  a  great  and  good  man,  and  loaded  agam  with 
donations. 

At  this  place  he  remained  until  a  caravan  was  prepared  to  undertake 
a  journey  to  Mecca-  To  this  body  of  pilgrims  and  traders,  he  attach- 
ed himself  as  a  dervise.  They  arrived  in  proper  time  in  that  region  of 
Yemen.  But  the  Wechabites  had  made  great  progress  in  their  fanatic- 
al work.  They  had  demolished  in  part  the  old  religion  of  Mahomet, 
and  set  up  their  new  revelation  in  its  stead,  burned  the  body  of  the 
prophet,  destroyed  the  holy  temple,  and  sequestered  the  revenue  paid 
at  the  shrine  of  Mahomet  The  caravan  feared  to  encounter  these 
zealous  and  daring  innovators,  and  halted  at  a  distance.  But  the  der- 
vise, availing  himself  partly  of  his  priestly  occupation,  and  partly  of 
liis  personal  adroitness,  went  over  to  their  camp,  and  was  well  re- 
ceived. 

Having  tarried  as  long  as  he  pleased  in  Mecca,  he  went  to  a  port 
near  jedda,  a  city  on  the  Red  sea.  Thence  he  crossed  to  the  west 
bide,  and  coasted  along  to  Suez.  There  he  made  himself  known  to 
lord  Gordon,  a  Scottish  traveller,  arwi  entered  into  his  employ,  as  an  in- 
terpreter. With  him  he  travelled  to  Cairo,  and  through  the  Lermar, 
to  Nubia  and  Abyssinia.  His  last  exercise  previous  to  his  seperation 
froiTi  that  munificent  gentleman,  was  to  decorate  witli  flowers,  fruits, 
leaves,  branches  and  chandeliers,  the  hall  in  which  his  employer,  on 
his  return,  gave  a  splendid  treat  to  the  foreign  residents  and  consuls, 
then  at  Cairo. 

From  this  place,  he  returned  after  an  absence  of  six  years,  to  Alex- 
andria :  and  on  inquiring  for  his  wife,  was  told  she  was  in  conceal- 
:nent.  A  separation  was  readily  agreed  ujwn  by  mutual  consent,  and 
she  immediately  formed  a  connexion  with  a  Copt,  a  man  of  her  own 
sect. 

Being  once  more  in  Cairo,  he  wholly  threw  aside  the  character  of  a 
dervise,  and  assumed  the  occupation  and  imiform  of  an  engineer. 
Here  he  was  engaged  in  planning  military  works,  and  in  superintend- 
■  ing  their  execution.  While  he  was  thus  (.'inployed,  news  was  brought 
him  that  captain  Eaton^  had  arrived,  and  wished  a  confidential  and 
intrepid  agent,  to  convey  a  message  to  Hamet  Caram.elli,  the  Ex-Bash- 
rtw  of  Tripoli  in  Barbary.  At  an  interview  which  took  place  between 
them,  the  former  first  swore  the  latter  to  secrecy  on  the  Koran,  and 
then  communicated  his  project. 

./aving  agreed  to  the  conditions,  he  took  the  earliest  opportunity  to 
desert  the  lurks,  and  to  penetrate  through  the  desert  to  the  M^ma- 
;  ike  camp,  where    Caramelli    was  ;     in  poverty  and  dependence, 


GEX.    KATOX.  4:23 

by  the  adniinistratioii.  He  frequently  received  let- 
ters from  Hamet,  some  of  which  vvere  forwarded  to 
Congress  ;  and    exerted  himself  as  far   as   in  his 

though  respected.  It  is  to  be  understood  that  Egypt  is  divided  into 
Enghsh  and  French  parties  :  the  Turks  being  attached  to  the  French, 
and  the  Mamalukes  to  the  Enghsh.  With  a  single atteiidant  and  two 
dromedaries,  he  proceeded  with  the  swiftness  of  wind,  feeding  the 
animals  with  small  balls  composed  of  meal  and  eggs,  and  taking  no 
other  sleep  than  he  could  catch  upon  the  back  of  the  hard  trotting 
beast.  He  reached  the  Mamaluke  camp  in  safety-  TheChiek,  in  to- 
ken of  a  welcome  reception,  gave  him  a  few  sequins,  refreshed  him 
with  coffee.  In  a  short  time  he  so  arranged  matters  with  the  Ex-Bash- 
aw, that  one  night  CaramelU  went  forth  as  it  on  an  ordinary  expedition 
with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  followers,  and  instead  of  returning 
to  his  Ma.naluke  encampment,  sped  his  way  over  the  trackless  sands, 
and  with  that  force  reached  th3  rendezvous  of  th?  enterprising  Amer- 
ican. 

With  all  the  forces  they  could  jointly  assemble,  they  traversed,  with 
extreme  toil  and  suffering,  ihe  deserts  of  Barca,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a.diversion  in  favor  of  the  squadron  of  armed  ships  which  the 
United  States  of  America  had  ordered  against  the  city  of  Tripoli.  Af- 
ter surmounting  incredible  hardships,  they  arrived  at  Derne,  and 
gained  an  advantage  over  the  troopsofthe  reigning  bashawin  a  skirm- 
ish. This  action  spread  terror  through  all  the  Tripolitan  dominions, 
and  exceedingly  alarmed  the  Bashawin  his  castle.  Immediately  after 
a  peace  was  concluded  by  consul  Lear.  In  consequence  of  this,  orders 
were  forthwith  sent  to  the  American  vessels  on  the  coast  and  the  co- 
operating land  forces  under  Eaton,  to  discontinue  hostile  operations, 
i  he  Egyptian  host  was  requested  to  embark  in  the  American  vessels. 
Part  of  them,  thus  stopped  in  midcareer,  did  so  :  and  the  rest  remain- 
ed on  shore,  .subject,  now  they  were  inferior  in  martial  strength,  to  the 
cruelty  and  caprice  of  the  angry  despot  and  his  vassals. 

Leitensdorferwas  one  of  the  persons  who  went  on  board  and  witness- 
ed the  mortification  of  the  Ex-Bashaw  and  the  ravings  of  his  lieuten- 
ant general,  at  this  unexpected  order,  so  subversive  of  their  plans, 
and  so  ruinous  of  their  hopes.  He  himself  acted  as  a  colonel.  In  this 
vessel  he  went,  by  way  of  Malta,  to  Syracuse  From  which  place  he 
proceeded  to  Albina,  taking  the  route  of  Corfu  to  Salona,  with  the 
design  of  inquiring  by  letter  what  was  the  situation  of  a  son  by  his  first 
marriaoe,  whom  he  had  left  in  Tyrol.  Immediately  on  landing  a- 
mongthe  Turks,  he  was  seized  asan  apostate  Mahometan,  and  reduc- 
ed to  slavery.  By  degrees,  however,  he  excited  favorable  senti- 
ments,in  consequence  of  having  cured  several  sick  sailors  during  the 
voyage-  In  addition  to  which  he  pleaded  the  necessity  he  felt,  when 
in  the  American  army  of  Africa,  ofconforming  to  the  dress  and  man- 
ners of  that  strange  and  peculiar  people  of  the  west,  under  a  belief 
that  to  be  an  American  was  not  to  be  a  christian.  He  wasat  lengtli 
rebtored  to  the  freedom  of  a  faithful  mussulman.  He  next  visited 
Palermo,  and  there  formed  a  temporary  marriage  witli  a  female  willing 
to  engage  in  such  a  connexion. 

Aboiit  this  time  the  new  king  of  Naples  threatened  to  conquer  Si- 
cily in  fpite  of  all  the  resistance  that  Ferdinand  the  Fourth,  and  the 
Englilh  could  make  On  this,  Leitensdorfer  became  alarmed  for  his 
own  safety,  knowing  that  he  had  no  mercy  to  expect  from  French- 
men. He  determined  to  embark  as  a  passenger  for  the  American 
States.     But  no  m.aster  of  a  vessel  could  be  found,  who  would  receive 


4^4}  '  LIFE   OF 

power  for  the  Tt'storatiou  of  Hamcr.s  famiTy. 
When  he  received  inforfnation  of  his  being  appoint- 
ed  to  the  goveninient   of  the   Province   of    Devne, 

him  in  that  capacity-  He  then  resolved  to  offer  himself  as  a  sailor  ; 
and  was  entered  as  sucli  on  board  a  vessel  bound  to  Salem  in  Massa- 
chusetts Here  he  learned  to  hand,  reef  and  steer,  and  do  the  adlive 
business  of  a  seaman  He  arrived  at  Salem  in  December,  1809,  and 
iooii  went  on  a  visit  to  his  old  friend  and  fellow  warrior  at  Brimfield. 
He  was  hospitably  received,  and  left  his  late  general,  with  honorable 
sentiments  of  his  generosity  and  bravery.  By  him  he  was  advised  to 
visit  Washington,  and  to  present  himself  to  the  President  and  Secreta- 
ry of  State.  For  this  purpose,  Eaton  had  furnished  Leitensdorfer 
with  recommendatory  letter":,  stating  the  compensation  due  to  him 
for  his  various  services  and  losses.  By  these  gentlemen,  he  was  refer- 
red to  the  secretary  at  war ;  and  was  sent  from  one  to  the  other  un- 
til his  skill  in  surveying,  drawing  and  engineering  became  known  to 
the  surveyor  of  the  public  buildings,  and  he  thereby  acq^uired-soraeof 
the  patronage  of  Mr.  Latrobe. 

Thus  he  lived  along  occupying  one  of  the  vacant  chambers  in  the 
northern  pile  of  the  capital,  as  a  watch  or  an  office  keeper,  providing 
and  cooking  for  himself,  and  employing  his  hands  in  almost  every 
kind  of  occupation,  from  the  making  of  shoes,  to  the  insnaring  oi 
birds,  and  the  delineation  of  maps. 

This  extraordinary  man  is  about  five  feet  ten  inches  in  height,  with 
dark  eyes,  black  hair  and  brown  complexion.  His  looks  are  lively, 
his  gestures  various,  and  his  limbs  remarkably  flexible  and  vigorous. 
His  forehead  is  ample,  his  features  expressive,  and  his  figure  rather 
spare  and  lean.  With  such  natural  marks  and  powers,  he  has  been 
enabled  to  assume  the  respective  characters  ot  Jew,  Christian  and 
Mahometan  ;  and  of  soldier,  linguist,  engineer,  farmer,  and  trades- 
man with  uncommon  ease  And  in  short,  he  has  proved  himself  to 
be  one  of  the  most  versatile  of  human  beings;  having  acted  during 
his  multifarious  life  in  about  thirty  different  capacities.  In  the 
course  of  his  adventures  he  has  received  several  wounds.  And  his  ec- 
centric life  has  afi^brded  incidents  to  gratify  the  inhabitants  of  Vienna 
by  a  theatrical  representation  of  his  character  on  the  stage. 

He  can  utter  the  Hebrew  words  almost  exactly  like  a  rabbi  in 
the  synagogue.  He  can  recite  the  Latin  prayers  5nd  homilesofthe 
christians  after  the  manner  and  in  the  tone  of  the  capucJiins  ;  and  h^ 
pronounces  the  religious  sentences  of  the  mussidnien  in  Arabic,  with 
the  earnestness  and  emphasis  of  a  mufti.  All  these  he  performed  for 
me  successively  one  morning  with  singular  i-eadiness  and  skill. 

To  complete  his  strange  story,  Mr.  Bradley  undertook  to  be  Jiiv 
friend  in  the  senate  of  the  United  States  ;  and  that  body  passed  a  bill, 
introduced  by  him,  giving  Leitensdorfer  a  half  section  ol  land  (thre- 
hundred  and  twenty  acres)  and  the  pay  of  a  captain  from  the  15th  ot 
December,  1804,  to  the  15th  of  December,  1805,  bein^  tlie  time  thai- 
he  served  as  adjutant  and  inspector  of  the  army  of  the  United  States^ 
in  Egypt,  and  on  the  coast  of  Africa. 

The  generosity  of  the  house  of  representatives  was  manifested  by 
the  insertion  of  an  amendment  to  give  him  a  whole  section  of  a  mile; 
square  (six  hundred  and  forty  acres)  of  land,  instead  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty.  But  the  senate  disagreed  to  it,  and  the  house  rocedtd. 
So  that  his  grant  remained  as  originally  introduced.. 


GEN.    EATON.  ii^5 

?lii'(Uigh  the  instrumentality  of  Doctor  Davis,  he  ex- 
pressed himself  in  the  strongest  terms  of  satisfaction, 
clechiring  he  was  then  willing  to  die. 

In  January  1810  he  received  a  letter  from  Mr. 
llumhert,  *  long  his  most  intimate  friend  while  in 
Tunis,  to  which  he  returned  an  answer  :  Extracts 
follow. 

Brimfieldf  Jan.  15/A,  1810. 

My  Dear  Friend. 

FORTUNP:  has  reversed  her  tables.— 
I  am  no  more  Eatox.  I  live,  or  ratlier  stay,  in  ob- 
scurity and  uselessness.  The  wound  1  received  on 
the  coast  of  Tripoli,  and  others  more  early,  have  de- 
prived me  of  an  arm's  use  and  the  use  of  a  leg — 
Want  of  economy,  which  I  never  learned,  want  of 
judgment  in  the  speculative  concerns  of  private  life, 
which  I  never  studied,  and,  what  is  more,  privation 
of  the  consideration  of  a  government  which  I  have 
served,  have  unmanned  me.         *  * 

A  fellow  first  fed  on  horse  chesnuts  and  then  on 
charity  now  bestrides  the  world,  and  fattens  on 
gore  :  we  Americans  venerate  him,  because  we  have 
lost  our  national  character  5  perhaps  it  was  never 
well  fixt.  We  can  shew  you  citizens  who  fly  to- 
luountains  and  caves  for   a  hiding  place  ;    but   our 

*  The  following  lines  were  addressed  to  Mr.  Humbert 
BY  Eaton  WHEN  leaving  Tunis. 

Tunis  Bay,  March  iOth,  iSOS. 
Swift  to  the  western  world  I  wing  my  way. 
Where  light  and  freedom  pour  the  radiant  day  ; 
Leave  the  curst  shores  of  chains  and  stern  despair, 
To  breath  once  more  my  happy  native  air  ! 
Yet  while  o'er  ocean's  heaving  breast  I  roam,. 
Rapt  in  the  charm  of  Liberty  and  home, 
My  faithful  friends  shall  claim  the  frequent  tear; 
But  none  more  frequent  than  my  friend  Humbert.  * 
Once  reached  the  wished  for  goal,  Columbia's  shore  ; 
My  cares  forgotten,  my  misfortunes  o'er  ; 
There  from  my  peaceful  fields  again  I'll  write, 
What  plain  and  honest  friendship  shall  indite. 
Till  then,  adieu,  Humbert  j  may  God  extend 
Bliss  to  thy  wishes,  and  preserve  my  friend. 

*  Pronounced  Hum-berr.  •' 

{ill 


4aa 


l.rtE    Ob 


wars  are  on  paper.  Free  presses,  but  no  lieavr 
metal.  *  *  *      * 

1  am  glad  you  are  well ;  when  I  am  so,  I  will 
write  you  more.  Death  has  laid  himself  along  side, 
and  thrown  his  grapliugs  upon  my  quarter  and  fore- 
castle, but  I  keep  him  off  midships  yet.^^ 

During  the  winter  of  1809-10,  Gen.  Eaton  was^ 
much  of  the  time  confined  to  his  house  or  his  cham- 
ber with  rheumatic  and  gouty  complaints.  The  se- 
verity and  continuance  of  his  pains  and  his  sufferings 
had  however  no  admonishing  affect  in  producing  a 
change  in  his  regimen.  His  friends  and  relations, 
sometimes  with  timid  delicacy,  sometimes  with  re- 
proachful openness,  and  often  with  pathetic  tender- 
ness,  entreated  and  encouraged  <1  reformation  of  his 
habits.  His  resolutions  of  amendment  were  not 
nnfreqnent,  but  never  executed.  No  man  was  more 
sensible  than  himself  of  the  inevitable  consequence 
of  his  excesses.  At  times,  wakened  by  considera- 
tions of  duty  to  his  family,  and  his  hope  of  reestab- 
lishing his  character,  and  becoming  useful  to  the 
community,  he  would 

Push  his  honest  purpose  to  resolve, 
In  all  the  magnanimity  of  thought, 
Resolve,  and  re -resolve  ; 

but  wa«  ever  incompetent  to  performance.  Keflex- 
ions  on  his  past  misconduct,  the  loss  of  property  by 
his  imprudence,  and  the  loss  of  reputation  by  his 
excessive  indulgence,  produced  only  sorrow  and  re- 
morse, from  which  he  sought  immediate  relief  by  re- 
currence to  the  temporary  relief  of  the  glass. 

In  the  win.ter  of  1810-11,  h^  was  much  confined 
with  an  increase  of  chronic  complaints  and  gener- 
al debility.  His  appetite  for  food  was  almost  totally 
gone.  His  feet  and  ankles^  became  swolen,  and  a 
dropsy  gradually  ensued.  His  strength  daily  failed, 
so  that  in  April  he  was  scarcely  able  to  \\a]k. 
When  the  weather  was  pleasant  he  occasionally 
took  a  short  ride  in  a  chaise.  In  one  of  his  last  at- 
tempts to  go  abroady  he  called  upon  a  friend  in  the 
town,  (Col.  A.  Morgan,)  to  rest  and  refresh  hims^-lf^ 


GEN.,  EATOX.  4^7 

During  liis  stay  he  conversed  with  calmness  on  his 
approaching  dissolution;  gave  directions  for  his  funer- 
al ;  and;  calling  for  a  pen  and  ink,  after  consul- 
tation with  his  friend,  gave  the  names  of  four 
Colonels,  who  had  commanded  the  regiment  of  mili- 
tia of  that  town  and  vicinity,  for  his  hearers. 

In  the  intervals  of  distress  and  occasional  relaxa- 
tions from  pain,  he  was  frequently  sociable,  facetious' 
or  satirical.  A  neighbor,  a  cabinet  maker,  having 
called  to  see  him,  a  few  tlays  before  his  (I^ath,  he 
suddenly  turned  his  head  towards  him,  and  calling 
him  by  name,  addressed  him  thus  :  '^'  If  you  should 
have  the  making  of  my  coffin,  let  me  beg  of  you  not 
to  make  it  ofpine^  for  I  can't  bear  the  smell  of  it  : 
and  take  care  not  to  place  me  on  my  back,  for  in 
that  position  1  am  very  subject  to  the  mg;ht  mare.'' 

To  the  last,  while  he  had  the  command  of  his 
senses,  he  was  inquisitive  for  foreign  news  and  pol- 
itical information.  He  considered  this  country  as 
sold  to  France,  unless  the  people  should  seasonably 
refuse  to  sanctify  the  bill  of  sale  of  it  by  the  admin- 
istration ;  which  he  rather  hoped  than  expected. 
His  opinions  of  Jefferson  and  Madison  were  express- 
ed with  the  most  bitter  execrations. 

He  languished,  becoming  daily  more  weak,  his 
legs  and  abdomen  continuing  to  swell,  till  Friday, 
May  31st,  before  his  senses  or  his  memory  seemed 
much  impaired.  In  the  evening  of  that  day,  two 
gentlemen  coming  to  liis  bed  side,  and  enquiring  the 
state  of  Ws  health,  he  readily  made  answer  to  one  of 
them,  calling  him  hy  name  ;  but  when  addressed  by 
the  other  he  could  neither  call  him  by  name,  nor  be 
made  to  notice  him. 

One  of  his  neighbors  and  the  editor  of  this  vol- 
ume watched  with  him  during  the  night.  He  seem- 
ed insensible  to  all  that  passed,  or  unable  to  expres<^ 
himself.  At  one  time,  however,  during  the  night,  be- 
ing asked  if  he  would  not  take  some  drink,  he  dis- 
tinctly replied  ;  *'  Yes,  I  .believe  I  will."  Almut 
§iiurisc,  being  asked  if  lie  wished  his  head  raised,  lie, 


438  LIFE    OF 

answered  "  Yes,  sir,  I  thank  you.''  At  other  iimeH 
he  took  no  notice  of  what  was  said  or  done  ;  and 
these  were  the  last  words  he  uttered.  His  respira- 
tion was  regular  during  the  day  following  ;  but 
gradually  more  and  more  rapid  and  difficult.  About 
twenty  minutes  before  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
June  1st,  he  breathed  his  last,  without  a  groan  or 
struggle. 

On  the  succeeding  Tuesday  he  was  buried  under 
arms  according  to  liis  wish ;  his  bearers  Colonels  Ses- 
sions, Morgan,  Lyon  and  Patrick.  His  body  was 
carried  to  the  Meeting  house,  where  a  very  able, 
pertinent  and  pathetic  discourse  was  delivered  by 
the  Rev'd  Doctor  Welch  of  Mansfield,  (Con.) 

Thus  prematurely  fell  Gen.  Wm.  Eaton,  a  man 
blest  by  nature  with  talents  of  t!ie  highest  grade. 
His  career  was  brilliant  and  eccentric.  He  perform- 
ed much,  and  was  adequate  to  the  performance  of 
much  more,  had  prudence  kept  pace  with  his  ambi- 
tion. His  competency  for  greater  actions  ought  not 
however  to  diminish  the  lustre  of  what  he  has  at- 
chieved.  That  he  did  not  duly  respect  himself  and 
maintain  the  high  reputation  to  wliich  he  was  at  one 
time  exalted,  for  the  continuance  or  increase  of  his 
own  fame  and  the  service  of  his  country,  is  a  subject 
of  just  lamentation:  but,  in  the  words  of  Doctor 
Johnson,  "  when  it  is  objected  that  much  is  omitted, 
let  it  not  be  forgotten  that  much  also  is   performed." 

Gen.  Eaton's  frequent  imprudences  of  deport- 
ment have  induced  many  who  were  but  little  acquaint- 
ed with  him  to  hold  but  a  mean  opinion  of  his  abili- 
ties. His  conduct,  at  times,  was  such  as  to  justify 
among  strangers  the  entertaining  of  such  sentiments  ; 
but  those  who  were  intimately  acquainted  with  him 
could  possibly  possess  no  other  than  an  exalted  opin- 
ion of  his  intellectual  powers.  Instead  of  a  military, 
had  he  pursued  a  literary  course  ;  as  a  poet,  divine, 
stateman  or  orator,  he  would  liave  had  few  competi- 
tors. 1  once  asked  him  what  accident,  or  whether 
deliberate  choice,  first  incited  his  desire  of  a  military 


GEN.    EATON.  4;S9 

lile.  He  told  me  it  was  the  perusal,  when  a  boy,  of 
;ui  odd  volume  of  Plutarch's  Lives,  or  some  other 
military  biography,  which  directed  his  young  ambi- 
tion to  the  pursuit  of  glory  by  the  professioji  of  arms. 
While  in  college  however  he  was  at  one  time  resolv- 
ed on  the  study  of  divinity  ;  and,  after  leaving  the 
University,  he  at  auotlier  time  determined  on  the 
study  of  law  :  for  which  purpose  he  entered  his 
name  in  an  xltlorney's  office  at  Windsor  (Vt.)  and  . 
would  doubtless  have  persevered  had  he  hcen  disap- 
pcfinted  in  his  application  for  a  commission  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States. 

Among  his  loose  manuscripts  I  find  the  copy  of  a 
letter,  dated,  ^'  Ruins  of  Utica,  August  Md,  1799/' 
directed  to  the  RevVl  Doctor  Welch,  inclcteing  a 
sermon  in  support  of  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul; 
from  which  a  few  extracts  are  here  ma<ie. 

^^  Reverend  and  Dear  Siu, 

IT  recurs  to  me  that  many  years  ago  I 
promised  you  to  "he  a  minister.*'  ••It  is  not  in  man 
that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps.''  The  incidents! 
whicli  have  marlved  the  path  of  iiiy  life  since  I  thus 
plighted  myself,  no  human  penetration  could  have 
foreseen. — I  can  hardly  say  I  have  had  a  volition 
in  them.  I  should  then  have  thought  it  frantic  in  any 
one  vv^ho  should  have  predicted  that  at  a  future  period 
I  should  date  a  letter  to  you  from  the  ruins  of  Utica. 

'^  Among  the  earliest  moments  of  my  beginning  to 
think,  the  Christian  religion  exhibited  to  a  mind,  de- 
sirous of  immortal  lite,  excellent  beauties,  and 
sublime  hopes  :  and  tiiougli  the  evolutions  of  my 
existence  hitherto  have  afforded  fewer  proofs  of  this 
impression  than  the  sublimity  of  the  subject  should 
produce,  it  is  nevertheless  my  frequent,  though  secret 
theme.       *  *  * 

^'  Placed  as  I  am  at  present  among  ruins  of  human 
enterprise  and  ambition   and  monuments   of  human 


4*80  LIFE   OF 

greatness,  which  lie  buried  beneath  the  waste  of  ma» 
ny  thousand  years,  this  subject  imposses  itself  on 
Biy  mind  witli  new  solemnity  and  more  impatience  to 
believe.     *  *  * 

"  Among  my  collegiate  manuscripts  I  find  something 
which  I  intended  as  the  base  of  a  sermon.  On  a  re- 
yiew,  at  tliis  late  period,  I  recognize  the  thoughts  ; 
and,  incoherent  as  they  are,  I  give  them  to  you. 
You  will  find  little  in  them  but  the  rhapsody  of 
youth  :  but  I  have  neither  time  nor  means  to  give 
them  the  features  of  coiTcct  argument.     ^  * 

"  Because  priests  have  in  all  countries,  except  the 
United  States,  prostrated  our  religion  to  an  instru- 
ment of  oppression,  it  is  no  argument  against  the 
system.  What  good  institution  of  government  eith- 
er in  the  religious,  moral  or  political  world,  has  not, 
in  the  hands  of  avaricious,  cruel  or  ambitious  men, 
undergone  the  same  violation  ?     *  * 

*'  The  spotless  life  of  Jesus  is  as  great  a  miracle  as 
his  resuriection.  Who  ever  lived  as  he  lived  ? 
When  his  enemies  arraigned  him  at  the  tribunal 
which  was  to  decide  on  life  and  death,  of  what  did 
they  accuse  him  ?  Not  of  one  moral  vice  !  The  Rom- 
an Governor  with'  great  propriely  observes  :  He 
found  no  fault  in  him.    *  *  * 

**  When,  among  his  adversaries,  we  find  a  man  who 
can  introduce  a  better  system  for  a  rule  of  practice, 
and  give  us  examples  of  more  distinguished  virtue, 
then  shall  we  be  safe  in  abandoning  the  Nazarine 
and  following  the  reformer.  But  it  so  happens  that 
the  more  a  wise  man  assiraulates  himself  in  disposi- 
tion and  practice  to  the  character  of  a  perfect  being, 
the  more  he  resembles  the  jyian  ofson^ow.     *  * 

^  Do  we  ever  hear  a  dying  man  regret  that  he  has 
lived  soherlij,  righteously  and  Godly,  in  the  world  ? 

*•  Our  system  establishes  ajust  balance  between  the 
monarcliy  of  reason  and  tlie  anarchy  of  the  passions. 

*^  It  is  the  revelation  of  God.     *  * 

^^  How  should  God  but  reveal  what  he  has  so  deep- 
ly implanted  in  the  Jiuman  system  ?     ^  * 


GEJf.    EATON.  4^1 

^*  The  materialist  calls  it  pride.  But  his  very  la- 
T)ors  prove  that  this  pride  exists  in  his  own  breast. — 
What  but  a  desire  of  being  immortalized  in  the 
memory  of  his  survivors  could  prompt  him  to 
the  laborious  task  of  blotting  out  the  hope  of  futurity, 
and  of  establishing  a  creed  altogether  useless  to 
mankind;  and  cruel  to  the  wretched  ?         *  -*^ 

^^  What  is  ambition  ? — Why  are  monuments  erect- 
ed ?  Why  preserve  the  likeness  of  our  friends  ?  'Tis 
immortality. — Why  does  the  shepherd  carve  his 
name  in  the  green  bark  of  many  a  shrub  ?  'Tis  im- 
mortality, though  he  knows  it  not.  'Tis  the  God  of 
nature  moving  in  his  breast.  *  * 

''  No  man  ever  desired  eternal  death  till  guilt  first 
made  him  shun  the  light,  and  pride  forbade  repen- 
tance. ^  '  *  * 

''  We  find  in  all  ages  that  the  advocates  for  im- 
mortality have  been  the  supporters   of  moral  virtue. 

''  If  we  cannot  find  argument,  in  natural  philoso- 
phy, to  support  tlie  doctrine  of  the  immortality  of  the 
soul,  so  neither  can  we  to  prove  the  contrary.  * 

"  If  those  wlio  have  placed  their  chief  good  in  tem- 
poral enjoyments  can  content  themselves  with  a  good 
so  transitory, — and  if  they  are  willing  to  flatter  the 
wicked  with  this  dark  sanctuary  of  guilt ;  it  is  nev- 
ertheless unkind  to  deprive  tlie  poor,  the  forlorn,  the 
faithful,  who  have  wandered  as  strangers  and  pil- 
grims through  the  tribulations  of  this  world,  of  a  hope 
so  hospitable  as  a  Savior's  bosom  ?         * 

"  Dare  we  impeach  the  goodness  of  God  of  having 
prepared  no  reward  for  the  righteous  ? — -Shall  the 
hope  of  the  just  perish?  *  -^ 

"  It  will  make  the  burthen  of  life  easy  and  the  pil- 
low of  death  void  of  terrors.  These  are  advantages 
which  cannot  be  found  in  speciilative  philosophy. — 
'riiey  are  precepts  which  the  world  can  neither  give 
nor  lake  away.  *  * 

^'  Philosophers  argue  that  the  decomposition  of  the 
animal  system  returns  each  material  particle  to  its 
proper  element.     Why  will  not  the  argument  apply 


43S^  LU'E   OF 

also  to  tlie  rational  principle  with  us  ? — Why  may 
not  even  philosophy  argue  tliat  this  also  shall  return 
to  its  original  source  ? — 

Gp:n.  Eaton's  voice  in  public  speaking  was  loud 
and  distinct,  liis  pronunciation  slow  and  impressive. 
Almost  hi«  only  exhibitions  of  public  elocution  were 
during  one  session  of  the  legislature  of  this  state  r 
but  enougli  was  then  discovered  to  warrant  the  be- 
lief that,  if  he  had  devoted  his  mind  to  the  forum  or 
the  pulj)it,  he  would  have*  been  one  of  the  best  of 
public  speakers. 

Of  poetry  he  was  fond  though  he  never  wrote 
much,  nor  was  his  poetical  rea<ling  very  extensive. 
The  few  pieces  published  in  this  volume  however 
discover  great  strength  of  mind  and  great  creative 
powers,  with  but  partial  cultivation.  In  a  volume 
of  his  journals  1  find  the  following 

ODE. 

When  God,  the  Architect  Supreme, 
At  first  conceived  tb.e  amazing  scheme, 
Ffom  chao')  and  eternal  night, 
To  call  up  order,  worlds  and  light, 
Deep  in  the  omniscient  mind,  the  plan 
On  fellowship  revolved  ;  when  man, 
]iieattied  from  his  own  existence,  stood 
A  beauteous  portrait  of  his  God  ; 
For  love,  for  social  joy  refined, 
To  every  social  joy  inclined. 

Blissful  roll  the  moments  on  ; 

Glad'ning  eve  and  cheeiful  movn  ; 

Manly  friendship,  sacred  love, 

Eden's  peaceful  bowers  improve. 
But  envy  fe.'l  assumed  control, 
And  ranc'rous  passions  seized  the  soul  ; 
Chaos  o'erwl^.elmed  the  world  again  ; 
Confusion  re-assumcd  her  reign  ; 
Horror  o'ercast  tlie  affrighted  east  ; 
And  nature  trembled  to  the  v/est. 
Man  wept ;  accused  ;  exile  his  doom — 
A  friendless,  hopeless  vast  to  ream  ; 
Where  haic,  distrust,  revenge  and  blood. 
Effaced  the  image  of  his  God  1 


GEN.    EATO>f.  43B 

liesevts  drear  convey  no  charms  ; 

Every  rustling  leaf  alarms  ; 

Jealous  ihorns  to  love  succeed  ; 

Friendship's  vows  a  thistle  breed. 
With  pity  mov'd — the  Almighty  Mind 
Again  conceived !  the  Lodge  ordained-! 
Resolved  on  this  eternal  base 
T'engrave  his  name  ;  restore  our  race  ; 
To  earth  give  radiance  from  its  day  ; 
Pour  on  the  blind  its  visual  ray  ; 
Extend  its  orb  where  thought  extendi  ; 
Nor  end  its  reign  till  nature  ends  :  ^ 

Bid  peace,  and  truth,  and  joy,  and  love 
Immortal,  round  its  centre  move. 

Happy  mortals  saw  once  more 

Blissful  days  like  days  of  yore  j 

Man,  to  ancient  faith  restored, 

Resumed  the  image  of  his  God. 
Beamed  from  the  east  a  genial  ray  ; 
To  western  climates  winged  its  way  ; 
Found  out  fair  Freedom's  hemisphere, 
And  shone  a  Constellation  here. 
Approving  Heaven,  with  fostering  hand, 
Gave  masons  triumph  through  this  land  ; 
And,  firmly  to  secure  our  craft 
From  bigot  rage,  and  envy's  shaft, 
Sent  a  Grand  Master,  Freedom's  son, 
The  God-like  patriot  Washington  ! ' 

Brethren,  let's  hail  our  Washington, 

While  planets  through  their  orbits  run, 

And  ever  let  his  birth-night  be 

To  us  an  annual  jubilee  — 
Washington  City,  Feb.   10,   1804,     Comp.osed  for  the  celebm^ 
Hon  of  St.  GKOROErWArSHiNOTON^a/  Monson,  22rf  inat.  by 

WILLIAM  EATON. 

These  few  specimens  of  his  poetry,  perhaps  near- 
ly all  he  ever  wrote,  though  sometimes  eccentric 
and  incorrect,  are  sufficient  to  prove  that  if  he  had 
followed  the  Muses  rather  than  Mars,  his  pursuit 
would  have  been  crowned  with  success. 

The  remark  of  the  Roman  Satirist,  nullum  nu  • 
MKN  ABEST  SI  SIT  pRUDEMTiA  :  710  deitij  is  obseiit 
where  there  is  Prudpnce  ';  though  well  known  to  Ea- 
TON,    had  little  effect  on  his  deportment.     Few  neti 

55 


4t^  LIFE   OF 

had  less  government  over  the  unruly  member.  What 
he  thought  at  the  moment  was  generally  uttered  at 
the  moment,  without  regard  to  circumstances  or  con- 
sequences. So  imprudent  a  frankness  frequently 
geiuerated  distaste  or  created  enemies, 

It  has  been  asserted  that  all  men  have  nearly  an 
equal  share  of  Vanity,  and  that  the  appellation  of 
modesty  and  egotism  are  bestowed  only  in  propor- 
tion to  the  circumspection  or  heedlessness  with  which 
that  Vanity  is  concealed  or  betrayed.  As  a  general 
rule  this  opinion  is  probably  correct.  Were  the  real 
sentiments  of  the  man  apparently  the  most  diffident 
displayed  to  universal  inspection,  we  should  hardly 
know  how  to  discriminate,  or  whom  not  to  pro- 
nounce externally  vain.  In  the  earlier  part  of  Ea- 
ton's life  he  was  not  remarkable  for  arrogance  ;  per- 
haps not  till  his  return  from  the  Mediterranean  in 
1805,  when  in  addition  to  ordinary  approbation,  by 
many  he  was  be-plastered  with  the  most  extrava- 
gant sxlnlation.  When  he  arrived  in  Richmond 
^  Virginia  Jon  his  way  from  Hampton  to  the  seat  of 
Government  [./Yoi\  1805.  J  the  Editor  of  one  of  the 
public  papers  there,  the  Enquirer,  a  man  of  ardent 
feelings  but  of  little  discrimination  and  less  genius, 
published  along  eulogy  of  childish  extravagance, 
which,  while  it  excited  a  smile  with  men  of  discern- 
ment, was  swallowed  by  Eaton  with  greediness  and 
without  offence.  Other  papers  also,  desirous  of  ex- 
alting tlie  American  military  character,  little  hesitat. 
ed  at  any  extravagance  of  expression,  that  might  ex- 
alt him  or  the  reputation  of  his  country.  Anecdotes 
and  sketches  of  his  life  soon  circulated  in  tiie  differ- 
ent periodical  publications,  which  were  not  without 
their  effect  on  his  mind.  Hence,  as  before  observed, 
probably  arose  the  opposition  in  the  United  States' 
House  of  Representatives  to  his  receiving  a  medal ; 
for  from  this  time,  a  relation  of  his  own  exploits,  and 
anecdotes  of  his  own  life,  were  too  apt  in  alt  compa- 
nies to  engross  his  share  of  conversation  ;  and,  from 
the  long  habit  of  commandins:,   he   had  accustomed 


GEN.    EATON.  435 

liimself  to  assume  an  aiitlioritativ  e  tone  of  voice  and 
contraction  of  brow,  calculated  frequently  rather  to 
•inspire  disgust  than  respect.  These  were  however 
often  laid  aside,  while  his  manners  were  e,entle,  his 
conversation  instructive,  his  humor  entertaining  and 
his  wit  brilliant. 

In  some  situations  of  life  more  than  others,  men 
are  liable  gradually  to  confirm  intemperate  habits  ^ 
perhaps  in  the  army  more  than  elsewhere  ;  when  the 
association  of  the  officers  is  constant,  books  scarce 
and  genteel  company  often  not  to  be  had.  To  shun 
the  taedium  vitae  of  a  peaceful  camp,  resort  is  there- 
fore had  to  the  diversions  of  the  card  table  or  the 
poisonous  promotion  of  temporary  hilarity.  Here, 
though  excesses  may  not  at  first  ])e  frequent,  habits 
are  by  degrees  formed  and  confirmed,  wliich  in  time 
become  too  powerful  for  the  feeble  resolutions  of  the 
victim,  and  prematurely  drag  him  to  his  '^  narrow 
dwelling.^'  It  is  believed  that  Eaton  was  not  fre- 
quently the  slave  of  his  glass,  till  after  his  disap- 
pointment in  not  being  permitted  to  raaTch  from 
Berne  to  Tripoli,  and  the  sufferings  of  his  sensibili- 
ty when  he  found  a  majority  of  the  I'igislature  of  his 
country  indisposed  to  bestow  a  trifling  evidence  of 
their  respect  for  his  services.  His  pecuniary  affairs 
were  at  this  time  also  embarrassed  by  tlie  delay  of 
payment  by  Congress  for  money  expended  in  the 
public  services.  A  writer  of  considerable  ingenuity 
and  excessive  severity  with  the  utmost  freedom  rid- 
iculed, in  a  public  paper  at  the  seat  of  government, 
his  pretentions  to  the  character  of  a  warier  or  hero, 
and  with  much  spleen  exposed  to  the  public  some 
traits  of  vanity  and  egotism  which  had  unguarded- 
ly been  exhibited  by  Eaton  in  a  private  circle. 
During  the  summer  of  I8O7,  there  were  many  who 
without  ground  cr.nsidered  him  as  having  at  first  lis- 
tened with  pleasure  to  Burr,  intending  should  ihert5 
Ue  a  prospect  of  success,  to  join  in  iiis  enterprise. 
During  the  trial  of  Burr  he  was  exposed  to  the  sar- 
^/asras  and  severity  of  his   atlornies,  particularly   t\m 


436  '  LIFE   OF 

celebrated  Mr.  Martin  ;  and,  by  cards  and  betting 
on  the  issue  of  the  trial,  he  lost  considerable  sums  of 
money.  He  had  certainly  expectations  of  a  high 
military  appointment,  which  were  continued  a  year  or 
two  but  defeated.  These  considerations  preying  on 
his  mind  depressed  his  spirits  and  tended  to  increase 
the  frequency  of  his  recurrence  to  the  deceitful  meth- 
od of  restoring  them  by  ruinous  indulgences.  His 
constitution  was  of  the  firmest  kind ;  and  he  long  seem- 
ed unaware  of  the  inroads  he  was  making  upon  it. 
In  May  1808,  returning  from  Philadelphia  to  Brim- 
field,  his  stage  companion  was  his  old  friend  the  ven- 
erable American  Aristides,  Mr.  Pickering.  On  the 
morning  of  his  arrival  home,  as  soon  as  he  entered 
the  room  with  his  fellow  traveller,  he  enquired  of  his 
step  son  who  was  chosen  to  the  next  General 
Court,  fully  confident  of  his  own  re-election.  The 
reply  was  given,  that  there  were  two  elected.  He 
eagerly  enquired  Avho  they  were.  On  being  inform- 
ed, his  countenance  bewrayed  his  disappointed  feel- 
ings. The  stage  stopped  but  a  few  moments,  and 
Mr.  Pickering  took  his  leave.  He  declared  he  had 
taken  nothing  stronger  than  coffee  and  tea  for  five 
days,  and  intended  to  dismiss  forever  the  "  cursed 
slow  poison  "  as  he  called  it.  During  his  absence  his 
carriage  had  been  attached  for  debt.  He  appeared 
agitated  and  dejected,  and  shortly  after  took  a  walk 
to  a  neighboring  inn,  to  alleviate  his  sorrow.  Alas 
human  frailty  !  It  is  not  improbable  but  that,  had  he 
met,  on  his  return,  incidents  or  mformation  causing  a- 
greeable  sensations  instead  of  vexations,  he  might 
have  adhered  to  his  determination,  and  haye  been  at 
this  moment  an  honor  and  blessing  to  his  country. 
But  conjecture  is  useless,  and  regret  unavailing. 
He  several  times  declared  his  determination  to  change 
his  habits,  but  the  trial  of  one  or  two  days  rendered 
his  resolutions  useless. 

There  is  no  good  reason  to  doubt  but  that  in  his 
younger  days  he  was  a  serious  and  zealous  believer 
in  the   Christian  religion.      His  letter  to  Doctor 


GEN.    EATON.  437 

Welch,  dated  on  the  riiins  of  Utica  in  1799>  discov- 
er how  much  his  raind  was  affected  with  religious 
contemplations,  though  some  expressions  indicate  his 
doubts  :  especially  where  he  speaks  of  his  "  impa- 
tience to  believe.''  In  another  place  he  observes  : 
^^  It  is  not  for  the  followers  of  Jesus  Christ  to  de- 
nounce vengeance  against  those  men  who  soberly 
think  themselves  into  Theism.  Christianity  for- 
bids it  :  and  the  parable  of  the  good  Samaritan  gives 
us  a  striking  example  to  the  contrary.  We  cannot 
admit  therefore  that  the  zealots  in  the  cause  of 
Christianity  who  deal  chiefly  in  mystery,  and  who 
woidd  enforce  belief  chiefly  by  terror,  are  true  copy- 
ists from  their  Benevolent  Master."  Yet,  whatever 
might  have  been  liis  opinions  till  within  a  few  years 
of  his  decease,  certain  it  is  that  for  several  of  his 
last  years  he  not  only  improved  opportunities  offer- 
ed, but  frequently  sought  them,  to  display  his  wh, 
his  ingenuity  or  knowledge,  in  attempts  to  weaken 
or  destroy  the  arguments  usually  offered  in  sup- 
port of  Cliristianity.  Ridicule  was  sometimes 
his  weapon  ;  at  others  he  made  use  of  manly  argu- 
ment ;  particularly  endeavoring  to  invalidate  the 
miracles  related  in  the  old  and  new  Testaments  by 
accounting  for  them  on  physical  principles  or  mis- 
statement of  facts.  His  acquaintance  with  the  man- 
ners and  customs  of  Palestine,  Egypt  and  Arabia, 
gave  him  some  advantages  in  debate  over  his  oppo- 
nents. I  have  several  times  heard  hira  relate  the 
conversation  that  took  place  between  himself  and  the 
Mahometan  Mufiti,  or  chief  priest,  at  Tunis.  The 
Mufti  heard  his  relation  of  the  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion  and  his  arguments  to  support  its 
divinity  as  well  as  superior  purity  and  sublimity  over 
the  Mahometan  creed.  With  great  warmth  and 
zeal  he  then  endeavored  to  combat  his  creed  : 
and,  on  parting,  with  much  emotion  grasping  his 
hand,  with  a  broken  voice  and  streaming  eyes,  en- 
treated him  to  forsake  his  iutidelity  and  fly  to  the 
true  faith,  believe  in  the  Prophet  and  save  his   souL 


438  LIFE   OF 

Eaton  frequently  mentioned  the  effect  this  inter- 
view had  on  his  mind,  in   leading   him  to   a  belief 
that  the  mercy  of  the  Omniscient  was  equally   ejiz^ 
tendedjfco  the  moral^Hd  sincere  of  every"nimate  and 

eYfiryLcreedV7  ^~ 

Hopes,  fears,  doubts  and  expectations,  frequently 
agitated  his  mind,  with  regard  to  a  future  state.  A 
short  time  before  he  died,  the  last  time  of  his  being 
able  to  ride  abroad,  the  subject  of  a  future  state  being 
accidentally  introduced,  I  asked  his  opinion.  With 
more  carelessness  or  indifference  than  I  had  expected, 
he  spoke  of  the  dread  of  losing  life  common  to  most 
animals  ;  with  respect  to  man  there  was  cause  for 
hope  of  future  existence,  but  no  positive  evidence. 
Formerly  his  hopes  appear  to  have  been  much 
stronger  ;  as  the  following  extract  will  evince. 

^^  Since  the  creation  and  fall  of  man,  it  has  been 
the  conversation  of  the  thoughtful  to  obtain  some  ev- 
idence, some  rational  hope  of  existence  beyond  this 
span  of  life  :  because  without  such  a  hope  all  is  vis- 
ionary here.  From  the  first  moment  of  volition  the 
mind  is  put  in  pursuit  of  some  distant  object,  in  the 
possession  of  which  it  anticipates  rest  and  content- 
ment. That  object  attained,  it  parishes  in  the  enjoy- 
ment ;  another  succeeds,  and  another  in  succession, 
till  death  aiTests  his  pursuit,  and  leaves  the  man  as 
if  he  had  never  enjoyed  it,  seeming  to  mingle  him 
with  original  chaos.  Every  day  brought  conviction 
of  the  certainty  of  this  catastrophe,  and  admonished 
men  of  the  folly  of  confining  the  whole  exercise  of 
the  soul  to  tlie  thing?  of  a  world  so  transient  and  so 
visionary. — He  dared  to  soar  and  hope  a  future  ex- 
istence. Contemplating  the  infinite  wisdom  display- 
ed in  the  construction  of  himself — his  capacity  for 
enjoyment,  liis  propensity  to  hope — his  instinctive 
dread  of  dissolution — his  inclinations  to  social  love, 
with  all  which  he  i§  endowed  by  the  God  of  nature, 
lie  humbly  soars  and  asks  his  great  Creator,  if  this 
be  all  a  fiction  ?  Is  there  no  distant  clime,  unseen  by 
mortal  eye,  to  whirli  the  soul,  the  rational  principle 


GEN.    EATON.  439? 

within  us,  shall  emigrate-  and  find  that  fulness  for 
which  it  is  capacitated  ?  Reason  aJBirms  it,  but  when 
or  where  ?  All  is  conjecture  until  revelation  expels 
the  douhts  and  bids  him  boldly  hope. — "  The  prom- 
ises which  were  first  revealed  to  the  fathers"  &c. 

**  And  life  and  immortality  were  brought  to  light"  &c. 

"  If  man  be  wholly  mortal,  why  this  pageantry  of 
worlds  ?  Why  that  glorious  luminary  the  sun  ?  Was 
it  spoken  into  splendor  to  light  as  through  this  dark 
heathenous  world,  into  an  abyss  of  everlasting  night  ? 

"  If  immortality  be  a  fiction,  then  what  is  creation 
but  a  tragic  drama,  in  which  the  human  race  have, 
thousands  of  years  been  wretched  actors  ;  God  him- 
self being  author  and  promoter  ? 

Is  it  then  that  we  are  involuntarily  brought  upon 
this  stage,  to  gaze  a  moment  in  astonishment  and  ad- 
miration on  the  stupendous  fabric  of  the  universe, 
and  then  to  close  our  eyes  in  eternal  blindness,  nev- 
er admitted  to  behold  and  pay  our  homage  to  the  A- 
dorable  Being  who  has  spoken  this  universe  into  ex- 
istence. It  sliould  require  stronger  evidence  to  em- 
bolden us  to  accuse  the  Supreme  Intelligence  of 
this  farce,  than  to  justify  us  in  hoping  more  worthy  - 
ly  of  him. — " 

The  RevM  Mr.  Fay,  the  Minister  of  the  town,, 
called  to  see  him  as  a  neighbor.  Mentioning  that 
probably  he  was  convinced  that  his  mortal  exit  could 
not  be  long  deferred,  he  asked  him  if  he  was  ready 
to  exchange  worlds.  "  Oh,  yes,"  said  Eaton,  *^  like 
a  jack  Tar  I  am  always  ready."  The  reply  appear- 
ed so  unbecoming  a  man  in  his  situation  that  Mr. 
Fay  pressed  the  subject  no  further.  Some  time 
af^er,  being  about  to  retire,  Gen.Eaton^  waving  his 
hand,  requested  him  to  stop,  and  informed  him  that 
it  might  be  agreeable  to  the  family  to  hear  a  prayer. 
Mr.  Fay  asked  liim  if  he  had  any  particular  peti- 
titions  to  offer  to  the  Thrcne  of  Grace.  He  replied 
thathe£Mr.  Fay]knew  what  wa^j  proper  on  suck 
occasions. 


440  LIFE    OF 

TheRev'd  Clark  Brown  of  Swauzey,  [N.  H.] 
formerly  a  settled  Minister  in  Brimfield,  being  iu 
town  on  a  visits  called  to  see  Gen.  Eaton.  After 
casual  conversation  Mr.  Brown  expressed  a  hope 
that  his  reliance  on  the  intercession  of  a  Savior 
would  make  tranquil  his  last  moments  :  he  seemed 
to  assent  by  a  nod  of  his  head  ;  and  before  his  de- 
parture requested  him  to  pray  with  him. 

Perhaps  it  ought  to  be  mentioned  that  about  two 
months  before  his  death  he  was  very  desirous  of 
having  his  children  baptized,  to  show,  as  he  observ- 
ed, his  respect  for  the  Christian  religion  :  and  he 
made  application  to  Mr.  Fay  to  perform  the  duty. . 
After  consulting  some  members  of  the  church  Mr. 
Fay  wrote  him  a  billet,  informing  him  that  his  long 
absence  from  communication  with  the  church,  and  his 
immoral  habits,  rendered  it  improper  to  perform  such 
service.  Gen.  Eaton  was  extremely  indignant  on 
receiving  the  letter. 

These  minutes  respecting  his  religious  sentiments 
are  due  to  impartiality  and  truth.  While  they  may 
gratify  curiosity,  they  cannot  justly  give  offence  to 
any  one.  The  example  of  the  last  years  of  Gen. 
Eaton  can  give  no  triumph  nor  consolation  to  infi- 
delity. 

Generosity  v/as  one  of  the  most  distinguisliing 
traits  of  Eaton's  character.  No  man  could  take 
more  pleasure  than  he  in  acts  of  charily.  When  so 
reduced  that  it  was  sometimes  with  difficulty  that 
the  family  "  could  provide  for  the  dny  that  was  pass- 
ing over  them,'^  if  a  poor  neighbor  or  travalJer  so- 
licited alms  or  assistance,  he  was  ready  to  divide  the. 
last  loaf  or  last  pound  of  meat.  This  generosity 
was  often  in  his  better  days  carried  to  excess.  Hav- 
ing once  rodein  a  public  stage  a  few  miles  he  en- 
quired of  the  driver  what  was  his  demand.  "  A 
dollar,^'  was  tlie  answer.  He  gave  him  an  eagle  and 
refused  chansje.  This  anecdote  stands  not  alone; 
In  his  house  he  was  ever  hospitable  or  profti^sc  :  and 


GEN.    EATON.  4*tl 

iie  delighted  in  giving  eutevtainments  to  liis  towns- 
men, friends  and  strangers. 

He  was  seldom  backward  in  giving  to  enquirers 
iineedotes  of  his  military  life,  relations  of  his  travels, 
marches  and  skirmishes^  or  a  history  of  the  manners, 
character  and  pursuits,  of  people  and  nations  with 
which  he  had  been  conversant. 

Between  gross  flattery  and  just  compliments  he  was 
but  an  indifferent  judge.  He  seldom  revolted  at  the 
most  barefaced  prodigality  of  praise.  Adulation 
was  generally  a  certain  passport  to  his  friendship  ; 
and  of  this  foible  advantage  was  sometimes  taken  for 
committing  depredations  on  his  property. 

He  was  never  rich.  He  held  the  commission  of 
a  Captain  in  the  army  when  he  married,  the  income 
of  which  was  not  more  than  sufficient  for  his  sup- 
port :  and  though  Mrs.  Eaton  was  left  by  her  form- 
er husband  in  agreeable  circumstances  her  property 
consisted  principally  of  real  estate.  While  he  was 
Consul  at  Tunis,  by  commercial  enterprise  and  exer- 
tion he  acquired  considerable  property,  a  part  of 
\i^hich  he  soon  after  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  a- 
bout  forty  acres  of  excellent  land  near  the  meeting 
house  in  Brimfield,  and  to  the  erection  of  an  unnec- 
essarily large  house,  the  expense  of  which  was  little 
less  than  seven  thousand  dollars.  In  the  manage- 
ment of  his  fiscal  concerns,  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life,  he  was  careless,  extravagant  and  imprudent. 
Depending  generally  on  others  for  the  execution  of 
his  ordeis  and  direction  of  his  agricultural  and  do- 
mestic concerns,  much  was  wasted  by  profusion  and 
inaltentioti,  and  much  was  dissipated  he  knew  not 
liow.  Liberal  to  excess,  his  doors  were  ever  open  : 
r'lnd,  ostentatious  in  his  hospitality,  while  he  possess- 
ed tlie  means  of  gratificalion  he  delighted  in  dis- 
playing his  generosity.  In  brief,  for  a  considerable 
time  he  lived  as  if  he  were  in  possession  of  a  princely 
estate  that  could  never  be  expended,  listening  to  no 
advice,   governed  by  no  considerations   offuturitVo 


^sM-  LIFE    OF 

checked  by  no  anticipations  of  inevitable    conse. 
quences. 

Of  the  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  given  him  by  the 
legislature  of  Massachusetts  he  sold  one  moiety  in 
the  winter  of  1808,  at  fifty  cents  per  acre.  In  the 
summer  of  the  same  year  lie  was  several  times  visit- 
ed by  the  sheriff :  and  before  the  autumn  of  1809 
most  of  his  property,  even  much  of  his  household 
furniture,  was  embarrassed  by  mortgage  and  convey- 
ance or  lost  at  the  fall  of  the  hammer.  He  was  too 
inattentive  to  avoid  costs  of  suit  by  previous  arrange- 
ment and  timely  provision  ;  hence,  in  addition  to 
the  expenses  of  prosecution,  much  property  was  sac- 
rificed for  but  a  portion  of  its  value.  His  circum- 
stances, as  well  as  his  credit,  health  and  character, 
might  at  any  time  have  been  retrieved  by  steadiness 
and  exertion :  but  in  proportion  to  the  increase  of  his 
embarrassments  seemed  his  iudiiference  to  the  world 
and  all  its  concerns. 

Tliere  were  however  moments  wlien  he  felt  confi- 
<lcnt  of  being  shortly  able  to  surmount  his  difficulties 
and  abandon  his  propensities.  In  the  winter  of 
1809,  I  one  evening  conversed  with  him,  after  the 
family  had  retired,  till  a  late  hour  in  the  night.  His 
own  situation,  prospects  and  fears,  were  the  subject 
of  conversation,  introduced  by  himself.  He  permit- 
ted me  to  say  what  I  pleased,  not  only  without  ap- 
parent offence,  but  with  cheetrful  attention.  Af- 
ter a  full  and  uninterrupted  historical  dissertation 
on  his  merits,  atchievements,  disappointments,  hopes 
&c.  for  several  years  previous  ;  attributing  his  first 
recurrence  to  excess,  partly  to  the  gradual  increase 
of  a  careless  habu,  but  principally  to  the  ill  treat- 
ment lie  had  received  from  the  general  administra- 
tion ;  I  dwelt  on  the  certainty  of  speedy  ruin,  without 
reformation  ;  on  the  easy  means  of  regaining  healtli 
and  reclaiming  credit,  peace  fortune  and  honor  ;  but, 
more  than  all,  urged  him  to  consider  liow  high  his 
name  still  stood,  and  how  probable  would  be  his  ad- 
Tenceraent,  at  least  to  the  first  offices  in  the  gift  of  the 


GEN.    EATON.  44^ 

State.  He  squeezed  ray  hand,  affected  eveu  to  tears, 
-applauded  my  frankness;  and  repeatedly,  with 
raueii  warmth  of  asseveration,  expressed  his  deter- 
mination "  to  be  a  man  ;  to  be  Eaton  again. "-^En- 
tering his  room  in  the  forenoon  of  the  next  day,  he 
accosted  me  with,  "  Good  morning — say  what  you 
please,  out — no  more  lecturing — Come,  take  with  me 
a  glass  of  spirit  and  water." 

Such  was  his  indifference  and  inattention  to  his 
pecuniary  affairs  that  he  died  insolvent,  though  not 
much  in  debt,  debts  of  honor  so  called  not  being  con- 
sidered. __^ 

From  a  candid  examination  of  all  the    circum-  ) 
stances  and   documents   exhibited  in  this  volume,  1 
think  it  must  appear  evident  that  Eaton  was  treated 
with  great  duplicity  by  the  Administration,  with  re- 
spect to  his  connexions  with  Hamet   the  Ex-Bash- 
aw.    His  letter  to  Col.  Dvvight  unfolds  facts   that 
testify  the  caution  of  JeffersoL,  so  as  to  enable  hirato 
tlirow  censure  on  Eaton,  if  unsuccessful,    as  acting 
without  authority  ;  or  to  demand  credit,  if  success- 
ful, for  assistance  in  the  accomplishment   of  a   great 
design.     Why  Lear  was  so  anxious  to  make  a  treaty 
at  the  moment  when  in  all  human  probability,   with 
proper   assistance   from  the  navy,  our   troops  and 
such  as  might  easily  have  been  procured    had   tlie 
fairest  prospect  of  getting  possession  of  Tripoli,  and 
enforcing  their  own    terras   of  adjnstment ;  it  is  not 
for  me  to  say  ;    but  for   the   reader  to  conjecture. 
^'  At  present,'"  says  Lear  in  his  letter  to  the  Secreta- 
ry of  State,  giving  a  history  of  his  negotiation  with  the 
Bashaw,  "  I  confine  myself  to  the  subject  of  the  ne- 
gotiation and  treaty.     As  I  have  always  been  oppos- 
ed to  the  Egyptian  and  Derne    expedition,   I  shall 
say  nothing  on  that  subject,  especially  as  I   presume 
there  will  be  full  communications  respecting  it  from 
other  quarters*' — Why   he  Avas   opposed   to  it,  no 
mention  is  made  :  but  what  can  be  more  plain   than 
that  the  success  of  Eaton  at  Derne  and  the  expec- 
tation of  his  threatened  conquest  of  Tripoli   and  es^ 


444  LIFE   OF 

tablisbmcnt  of  the  rightful  sovreigii  in  place  of  his 
brother  the  usurper,  were  the  principal  causes  of  tlie 
treaty  ;  of  the  restoration  of  the  captives  ;    and  prob- 
ably of  the  saving  of  hundreds  of  thousands,  if  not 
of  millions,  by  procrastinating  the  war.     "  Eaton,'' 
said  an  able  officer  of  rank  then  commanding  in  the 
Navy  in  the  Mediterranean,''  was  running  away  Avith 
the  honor  of  the  Tripolitan  war.     Between  an  army 
and  a  navy  jealousy  is  common.     What  had  the  na- 
vy done  long  before,  after  the  atchievment  of  Pre- 
LBLE  ?   Hence  the  readiness  to  snatch  the  first  oppor- 
tunity for  a  peace."— 
^  Eaton  was  not  only  disappointed  at  the  fate   of 
the  Resolution  for  granting  him  a  medal ;  but  prob- 
ably more  so,  in  not  receiving  some  more    subtantial 
evidence  of  his  country's  gratitude.     "  How  many 
lives,' how  much  money,"  says  he,    "  has   the  peace 
saved  the  United  States  ?  Millions.    To  whom  is  the 
credit  due  ?  And  do  y<;u  refuse  a  bill  of  840,000  ? — 
Impossible  !"     I  know  not  why  the  sum  of  S40,000 
is  here  mentioned :    perhaps   he  expected  that,  in- 
stead of  a  bill  authorising  the   Department  of  State 
to  adjust  certain  disputable  items  in  his  account,  the 
sum  of  forty  thousand  dollars  would  have  been  insert- 
ed partly  as   payment  of    just  claims,  but  princi- 
pally as  a  reward  of  his   high  merit  and   services. 
He  certainly  expected  pecuniary  or  other  remunera- 
tion much  beyond  what  he  received.  Was  such  an  ex- 
pectation unreasonable  ?  By  uncommon  reward  for 
uncommon  merit  and  services  of  uncommon  national 
utility,  inducements  are  extended   to  the   ambitious 
and  enterprising,   for  the  accomplishment  of  great, 
dangerous,  or  brilliant  atchievments,    not  less  con- 
ducive  to  the  glory  than  to  the  interest  of  the   state. 
The  ample  honors,  promotions  and  rewards,  granted 
of  late  to  our  national  commanders,  who  have  aston- 
ished their  country  by  their  courage,  skill   and  con- 
quests, cannot  fail  of  rousing  a    spirit  of  emulation 
that  must  hereafter  increase  the  reputation  aiid  pros- 
perity of  the  United  States.     How  different  was  the 


GEN.   E4^T0N.  445 

ti'eatuicnt  of  I^aton  by  the  general  government. 
How  much  did  he  not  save  the  United  States,  by 
the  plan  and  successful  execution  of  a  daring  and 
dangerous  enterprise,  much  superior  in  extent  and 
cflect  to  any  of  the  late  naval  victories  ;  yet  what 
was  his  recompense  ?  ]SK)t  even  a  vote  of  thanks  ;  a 
stigma  the  more  bitter  from  the  long  agitation  of  the 
question ;  no  promotion,  no  pecuniary  remunera- 
tion, but  delay  and  difficulty  even  in  obtainining  his 
just  dues. 

Qen.  Eaton  was  not  a  profound  scholar.  He 
liowever  read  much  and  thought  much.  To  the 
Greek  language  he  paid  no  attention  after  leaving 
the  University  ;  to  the  Latin  but  little  :  the  French 
and  Italian  languages  he  could  read  with  ease  and 
speak  with  considerable  fluency.  History,  geogra- 
phy and  tactics  were  his  principal  studies  :  with  the 
former  he  was  mtich,  with  the  last  Jie  was  fully  ac- 
quainted. Military  parade  and  the  sound  of  the 
drum  and  the  fife  gratified  and  animated  him  to  the 
last. 

He  was  naturally  a  rhetorician.  Though  he 
scarcely  knew  by  name  a  figure  of  that  art,  he  used 
most  of  them  with  correctness.  His  language  Avas 
harmonious,  energetic,  and  correct ;  as  his  oflBcial 
and  other  correspondence  evidently  testifies. 

Of  that  virtue  usually  called  public  spirit  he  liad 
a  very  great  portion,  often  indeed  carrying  it  to  ex- 
cess by  expenditures  beyond  his  income.  The 
wellfare  and  improvement  of  the  town  in  which  he 
lived  engrossed  much  of  his  time,  and  much  of  his 
money. 

In  his  deportment  towards  his  family,  and  others, 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  was  irregular  and  ca- 
pricious, sometimes  treating  them  with  affability  aiitl 
gentleness,  and  sometimes  with  harshness,  sever- 
ity, and  great  rudeness  :  angry  at  one  time  with- 
out a  motive,  and  pleased  at  another  without  a 
cause  :  hence  his  commands  were  often  foolish  o? 
absm*d,  of  course  neglected,  or   obeyed   from   terror 


44^  LIFE   OF 

rather  than  respect  or  affection.  Nothing  that  could 
be  effected  by  the  patience,  discretion,  good  sense 
and  singular  fortitude,  of  his  wife,  was  withheld,  to 
correct  his  irregularities  and  promote  his  comfort. 

In  his  pecuniary  dealings  be  appears  to  have  been 
governed  by  principles  of  justice,  honor  and  generos- 
ity. There  is  no  doubt  but  that  he  might  have  a- 
massed  a  considerable  fortune  while  Consul  at  Tu- 
nis, had  he  employed  the  many  opportunities  which 
were  there  afforded  for  robbing  his  government,  al- 
most without  the  possibility  of  detection.  How  easi- 
ly he  might  have  enriched  Mraself  may  be  learned  by 
referring  to  the  250th  page  of  this  volume.  Few  in- 
deed would  have  neglected  the  fair  opportunity  he 
had  of  securing  eight  or  ten  thousand  dollars  by  the 
purchase  of  the  six  Danish  vessels  at  one  third  their 
value.  He  restored  them  at  their  cost.  The  rea- 
sons for  which,  given  in  his  letter  to  Mrs.  Eaton,  do 
honor  to  his  feelings. — '*  Ask  you  why  ?  Because 
there  is  more  pleasure  in  being  generous  than  rich. 
J\'lan  2cantB  but  little,  not  that  little  long.  I  have 
bad  the  pleasure  of  seing  eighty  six  unhappy  cap- 
tives embark  in  these  vessels,  and  shape  their  course 
for  their  native  country.'^ 

Gex.  Eaton  was  about  five  feet  eight  inches  in 
height  :  of  a  fair  complexion,  inclining  to  ruddiness  : 
his  eyes  large  and  blue,  expressive  of  energy,  pene- 
tration and  authority,  impatience  and  disquietude  : 
his  nose  of  the  ordinary  size  and  shape  :  his  mouth 
large  ;  his  lips  full  but  not  swelling  :  his  eye  bones 
nncommonly  large,  and  his  forehead  immediately  a- 
bove  remarkably  retreating,  then  raised  to  the  ordi- 
nary height.  His  whole  countenance  announced  vig- 
or, dignity  and  command  ;  but,  especially  in  his 
last  yeai's,  more  their  assumption  than  native  pos- 
isession. 

He  left  five  Children  ;  three  fine  daughters,  aged, 
at  his  death,  about  sixteen,  fourteen  and  twelve  ; 
and  two  sprightly  boys,  about  six  and  four  years  of 
2»ge. 


GEN.    EATON.       .  <M7 

From  the  loorka  oj  the  late  Robert  Treat  Paine^  £gq. 

ODE. 

Written  for,  and  sung  at  the  Anniversary  of  the  Gen.  Eaton 
Fire  Society,  January  14,  1808. 

Tune—m*i  GOD  save  the  king," 

Blest  be  the  sacred  fire, 
Whose  beams  the  man  inspire, 

Panting  for  praise  ! 
Renown  her  laurel  rears, 
Not  in  a  nation's  tears. 
But  in  the  Sun,  that  cheers 

Her  hero's  bays. 

In  Afric's  cells  confined, 
Columbia's  sons  had  pined, 

'Mid  hopeless  gloom  : 
By  native  land  forgot. 
By  friend  "  remembered  not," 
They  delved  their  captive  spot, 

And  hailed  their  tomb  I 

Who,  for  the  brave,  could  feel  ? 
Who  warm,  with  patriot  zeal, 

Their  country's  veins  ? 
Eaton,  a  glorious  name  ! 
Struck,  from  the  flint  of  fame, 
A  spark,  whose  chymick  flame 

Dissolved  their  chains. 

O'er  Lybia's  desert  sands, 
He  led  his  venturous  bands, 

Hovering  to  save  ; 
Where  Fame  her  wings  ne'er  spread 
O'er  Alexander's  head, 
Where  Caio  bowed  and  b?ed 

On  glory's  grave. 

Though  earth  no  fountain  yield, 
Arabs  their  poignards  wield. 

Famine  appal ; 
Eaton  all  danger  braves, 
Fierce  while  the  battle  raves, 
Columbia's  Standard  waves. 

On  Derne's  proud  wSlJ,  1^ 


448  LIFE    OF   GEN.    EATON'. 

Lon^  to  the  brave  be  given 
The  best  reward  of  Heaven, 

On  earth  beneath  ! 
His  country's  Spartan  pride, 
To  honest  fame  allied, 
No  serpent  e'er  shall  glide 

Under  his  wreath. 

Blest  be  the  sacred  fire, 
Whose  beams  the  man  inspire, 

Panting  for  praise  I 
Renown  her  laurel  rears, 
Not  in  a  nation's  tears, 
But  in  the  Sun,  that  eheers 

Her  Hero's  bays. 

Extract  from  a  very  meritorious  Poem  delivered  before  the 
Washington  Benevolent  Societij  in  XcvuburijfiQTt^  October 
27th,  1812,  by  John  PiERPaNT,  Esq. 

Thcuy  nay  since  then,  whil«  yet  a  twilight  grey 
Gave  to  our  eyes  the  parting  oeams  of  Jay, — 
For,  when  our  sun,  *  our  glory  sunk  to  rest. 
He  fringed  with  gold  the  curtains  of  the  west, 
And  poured  a  lustre  on  the  world  behind, 
That  faded,  as  the  mighty  orb  declined  ; — 
Our  eagle,  soaring  with  unwearied  flight. 
Mid  clouds  t'enjoy  the  last  faint  gleam  of  light. 
With  piercing  eye  glanced  o'er  the  wat'ry  waste, 
And  saw  her  flag  by  Mussulmen  disgraced ; 
Nay — heard  her  childr'en  on  Numidia's  plains, 
Sigh  for  their  homes,  and  clank  Abdallah's  chains  : 
The  gcn'rous  bird  at  that  incensing  view, 
Caught  from  the  clouds  her  thunder  as  she  flew, 
With  dreadful  shriek  alaruned  the  guilty  coast, 
And  launched  the  bolt  on  CaramelWs  host — : 
Crescents  and  turbans  sunk  in  vild  dismay  ; 
The  Turkish  soul,  indignant,  left  its  clay, — 
Though  to  the  brave,  a  rich  reward  is  given, 
The  arms  of  Houris,  and  the  bowers  of  heaven — 
And  Eaton  trod  in  triumph  o'er  his  foe, 
Where  once  fought  Hannibal  and  Scipio. 
*  Washington. 

Thereisanerror  in  the  10th  page  of  thisvolume  :  tlie  nameof  Gek. 
Eaton's  father  was  Nathaniel,  instead  oi  Naihar.> 


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